Residents of Businoho landing site in Banda subcounty, Namayingo district, are calling for urgent intervention after a hippopotamus attack left one fisherman dead and another injured on Lake Victoria.
The incident unfolded on the evening of November 9, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm, when the two men were out on the water fishing. According to local leaders, the animal struck without warning, turning a routine fishing trip into a tragedy.
Robert Siida, the LC1 chairperson of the area, identified the deceased as Patrick Bwire, a 25-year-old fisherman. The second victim, Shakiru Mugosi, survived the attack but sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
A Growing Threat on the Water
The community says this is not an isolated incident. Fishermen at Businoho have watched hippos become increasingly aggressive in recent months, venturing closer to the shoreline and to the spots where locals cast their nets. Many now say they fear for their lives every time they set out to earn a living.
Residents are urging the district authorities and wildlife officials to step in before more lives are lost. Their demands include better protection for fishing communities, clearer warnings about hippo movements, and support for families affected by such attacks.
Hippopotamuses are among the most dangerous large animals in Africa, capable of overturning small boats and attacking humans who stray into their territory. For the people of Namayingo, the lake is both a lifeline and a hazard, and they say the balance has tipped too far toward danger.
As Mugosi recovers, the community is left mourning Bwire and wondering how many more alarms must be raised before action is taken.
