James Okello, 50, a fisherman from Nsonga landing site in Kyangwali sub county, Kikuube district has been attacked and killed by a hippopotamus on the Lake Albert waters.
The incident happened on Friday morning at around 7:40 a.m. It is alleged that Okello went for fishing expedition on the lake Albert waters alone on Friday. However, the hippopotamus emerged from the Lake and grabbed him. The hippo reportedly disappeared with him in the lake.
David Mugisa, a resident, told Uganda Radio Network that Okello sounded an alarm but other fishermen who were on the lake could not save his life since they were a distance away from him.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson says marine police with the help of the local fishermen are currently coordinating to search for the body.
This is not the first killing by a hippopotamus on Lake Albert in recent times.
In June 2021, two fishermen were killed after their boat was hit by a hippopotamus on Lake Albert in Kikuube district.
The deceased were then identified as Richard Opio, 27, and another one Mugegere both attached to Bugoma-Kinya Landing Site in Kyangwali sub-county.
The duo then had gone fishing on the Lake Albert when the Hippo attacked them and hit their boat forcing it to capsize instantly.
Though they sounded an alarm, it was not possible to save their lives since they were quite a distance from other fishermen on the lake.
In September 2022, a hippopotamus emerged from the lake Albert waters and killed 12 cows, critically injuring 20 others in Kikuube district.
The hippo then raided Kyehoro lower and Kyehoro upper landing sites in Nkondo parish of Kabwoya sub-county and reigned havoc on the animals.
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