Loitering Hippotamuses Kill Cows, Destroys Crop Gardens In Busia

Stray hippopotamuses from Lake Victoria have killed 7 cows, 5 goats and destroyed over 24 crop gardens in Busime Sub-county in Busia district.

The hippos rampaged in Busime and Lukaba villages, which are on the Lake Victoria shores. 

According to residents, the hippos come out of the lake at night and wreak havoc in their homes.  The residents say the hippos have been straying in their gardens and homes for the last two consecutive months. 

Some of those affected by the last attack are Esther Taaka Okwinyi, Joseph Ouma, Charles Ochieno, Everlyn Were, and Ronald Mudibo.

They have called for government intervention to save them from further destruction caused by the hippos.

Samia Audio

Voxpop;

//Cue in;   "ndaha bebeeho....  

Cue out;....yaani sikuurosa yaaya"//  

Hamphrence Syambi Obala, Lukaba village LC I Chairperson, says the hippopotamus attacked two residents, killed 7 cows and destroyed several crop gardens.    

Samia Audio

//Cue in:   "lukongo lwange....

 

Cue out;.....gavumenti yituyambe,"//


Morgan Okuku Ohebera, the Busime village LC I, says their lives are at risk because of the stray animals.  

//Cue in:   "Yiirihwiichanga niyi...

Cue out:....ebyo nibyo ebyange,"//


Willber Ojambo Pamba, the Busime Sub-county LC 3 chairperson has asked residents to be more vigilant and report any attack for action as they wait for government intervention. 

//Cue in:   “The gardens of....  

Cue out;....rescue the situation,"//

Bashiri Hangi, the Spokesperson Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA appealed to residents to avoid cultivating and grazing domestic animals near the lake shores since they are grazing areas for hippopotamus.

//Cue in:   "Of course you..... 

Cue out:.....from the lake,"//