The fishermen on the Ntuba landing site on the Bunjazi Islands have discovered the body of a 35-year-old woman who was mauled by a crocodile at the shore of Lake Victoria.
The victim’s body was discovered on November 12, 2024, on the Bunjazi Islands, Kyamuswa sub-county in Kalangala district in the Lake Victoria waters.
The deceased was identified as Specioza Kalyango, a resident of the Ntuba landing site who was attacked on Monday, November 11, 2024, at around 6:00 pm as she was fetching water at the shores of the lake.
According to eyewitnesses, Kalyango had gone with three jerricans to fetch water at the shores of the lake late in the evening; however, as she was carrying her last jerrican, she was attacked and dragged away by the crocodile into the water.
They added that some fishermen drove their boats and tried to hit it so that it could drop her; however, it was so fierce and tried to attack them too.
“Kalyango was attacked by this creature because she had turned her back as she was carrying away her last jerrican; however, we believe that she could have run away if she had seen it. The fishermen tried to save Kalyango; however, the crocodile was so ferocious that it started charging at them, hence scaring them off,’’ the eyewitnesses disclosed.
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The eyewitnesses further revealed that they have spent 10 years losing their loved ones to crocodiles, however, with no help from the responsible bodies despite informing them about the threat.
Jonathan Kaweesa, one of the local leaders of the Bunjazi Islands, revealed that the deceased’s body was found with her head, legs, and arms intact; however, all her intestines were eaten by the crocodile.
He added that they have spent more than five years losing their loved ones, including children, to crocodiles because they lack water, and the only water source they have is the lake.
Kaweesa added that since 2008, crocodiles have been killing people on the different islands in Kyamuswa sub-county, but despite them calling for help from the responsible bodies, they have not been helped at all.
“We need the government to construct boreholes in Kyamuswa sub-county because the locals have nowhere to fetch water, and now the lake is out of bounds due to the increment of crocodile attacks and deaths at the different landing sites,’’ he noted.
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He also called upon the Uganda Wildlife Authority to go to Kalangala district and remove the crocodiles because their livelihoods are at stake.
In 2024, there have been several notable incidents involving crocodile attacks in Kalangala district, Uganda, highlighting the ongoing dangers posed by these reptiles in the region.
On January 10, 2024, a worker from Bidco Oil Palm Company was killed by a crocodile while working near the water. The incident occurred in Kalangala district, prompting local authorities to issue warnings about the dangers of crocodiles in the area. The Southern Regional Police Commander confirmed that the victim was attacked while fetching water from a nearby lake.
These incidents reflect an alarming trend of crocodile attacks in Kalangala District, with both fatalities and injuries reported, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.
