Crocodile kills 14-year-old holidaymaker

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Residents of Lulamba Island, Kagoonya–Misonzi landing site in Kalangala district were left in shock after a crocodile attack claimed the life of a 14-year-old primary seven-holiday maker.

The deceased, identified as Keeya Blessing Tendo, had gone to the garden with his mother at Kagoonya, a known danger zone abandoned due to frequent crocodile attacks.

According to his father, Godfrey Byakatonda, the tragedy occurred at around 2:30 pm while the children were bathing along the shores of Lake Victoria.

“After garden work, he went with his colleagues to bathe from the shore, and immediately, the crocodile scooped him. His fellows tried to pull him from this animal’s teeth, but they were too weak to defeat it,” Byakatonda recounted.

That same night, the same crocodile reportedly attacked a fisherman, ramming into his boat in an attempt to capsize it. The fisherman survived after calling for help from colleagues in a nearby boat.

“Crocodile and hippo attacks are becoming rampant on the islands. Since we fetch water from the lake, our children remain at risk,” Byakatonda added.

Rising crocodile attacks

This is not the first fatal attack in the area.

On November 12, 2024, a crocodile killed Specioza Nakalyango, a mother from Kyondo landing site, Bunjaazi Island, as she fetched water. She left behind a four-month-old baby.

In December 2024, a 25-year-old fisherman from Kibanga–Maboga landing site was killed in the evening while on a fishing expedition.

In April 2024, a crocodile claimed the life of a 12-year-old child at Kiteredde landing site on Buyovu Island.

Call for action

Prossy Nakitende, a local leader under the Buganda Kingdom hierarchy, has called on the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to intervene and relocate the crocodiles to game parks and reserves.

“Their numbers are increasing day by day, attacks have become rampant, fear among us is also increasing, and thus, we need to be rescued,” she said.

By press time, the deceased’s body was still missing, believed to be stashed away by the crocodile. Residents have appealed to the police to assist in the search so they can give Tendo a proper burial.