By URN
Residents of Butiaba Town Council and Butiaba Sub-county in Buliisa District are living in fear after hippos and crocodiles from Lake Albert invaded their homes. The aquatic animals have strayed into residential areas due to rising water levels, which have submerged over 1,000 homesteads, forcing many to seek shelter under trees, in churches, schools, and makeshift structures.
The affected communities include Magali, Kawaibanda, Triangle, Tugombili, Kigangaizi, Walukuba, Boma, Bugoigo, and Kamagongoro. The floods have also endangered Butiaba Primary School, causing many pupils to abandon classes. Residents report that the hippos and crocodiles have killed and injured several domestic animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, and goats.
The presence of these animals near Butiaba Primary School poses a significant risk to pupils, who could be attacked while attending or walking to school. Gilbert Kyalisiima, a fisherman at Kamagongoro landing site, said the situation has forced parents to keep their children at home for fear of attacks.
Sabino Ringtho, a resident of Magali landing site, stated that people are now afraid to sleep in their homes due to the invasion. He urged the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to relocate the animals to protect the community.
Wilfred Magambo Kugonza, the head teacher of Butiaba Primary School, expressed concerns over the safety of pupils. Despite efforts to monitor the children closely, he admitted that some still attempt to pass through floodwaters, risking encounters with the animals.
Musa Asaba, the LC3 Chairperson of Butiaba Town Council, reported that the hippos and crocodiles have killed domestic animals and expressed fears that human lives could soon be at risk if no immediate action is taken. Despite repeated calls to UWA for intervention, no response has been received yet.
Bashir Hangi, the public relations officer at UWA, acknowledged that the aquatic animals have entered residential areas due to rising water levels. He advised residents to avoid provoking the animals, suggesting that peaceful co-existence could mitigate the danger.
However, residents remain anxious, as past incidents between 2022 and 2023 resulted in 10 deaths caused by hippo and crocodile attacks, with seven fatalities attributed to crocodiles and three to hippos.
