Hippo attack leaves two hospitalised in Kasese

KASESE - Two people in Kasese district were on September 9, 2025, left nursing serious injuries after encountering a hippo that escaped from Queen Elizabeth National Park into the community, particularly in the Nyamwamba division of Kasese Municipality.

The two have been identified as John Owe, 56, and Junior Bwambale, 17.

Speaking to New Vision on Wednesday (September 10), while on his sick bed at Canopus Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Owe recounted his ordeal, saying that the hippo attacked him around 1 pm on his way back from the garden.

"It was hiding in the bush near my garden, which neighbours River Nyamwamba. It attacked me, I tried to run and unfortunately, I slid, then it injured me in the back, chest and thighs," Owe said.

"Luckily enough people came and scared it away, and that is how I survived," he added.
Owe further disclosed that his family now faces the risk of starvation among other hardships since he is the only breadwinner, adding that Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has not yet shown any signs of helping him.

"Yet I am in severe pain, and surely I must visit an X-ray scanner if funds allow me," he said.

Lucia Kapamba, mother of the 17-year-old Bwambale, said her son was injured by the same hippo, suffering stomach injuries that exposed his internal organs. He is currently admitted to Mt St Mary's Hospital.

She demanded that UWA meet all hospital bills, regardless of the necessary medications provided to save her child’s life.

"My child woke up very healthy and went for his daily work, only to be told that he is admitted at the hospital," Kapamba said.

Pimako Kasereka, LC3 chairperson of Nyamwamba division, called upon UWA to expedite the process of erecting an electric fence along the remaining open stretch of the park, noting that wild animals continue to use this route to invade neighbouring communities.

"Equally, let the compensation scheme be very quick and fair," Kasereka added.

UWA’s action

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff who visited the scene killed the hippo and took its carcass.

Bashir Hangi, UWA spokesperson, said that the agency is aware and regrets the shocking incidents, adding that they will cover the victims’ medical bills and provide the necessary compensation.

"It was very unfortunate, and we shall act accordingly," Hangi said.

Police in Kasese district, through SP Nelson Tumushime, the Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson, appealed to residents neighbouring the national park to always keep their distance from wild animals that enter the community.