Hipppos invade Masindi, kill two cows

Jun 29, 2023

Rogers Kasaija, a resident of the same village, told New Vision online that hippos have been disturbing them for long and that their complaints have always fallen on deaf ears.

A cow killed by Hippos in Kihagani village Bwijanga sub county this week (Photos by Yosam Gucwaki)

Yosam Gucwaki
Journalist @New Vision

Residents of Kahagani Village in Ntooma parish, Bwijanga sub-county in Masindi district are living in fear after hippopotami invaded their village, killed two cows and left others injured.

According to Wilfred Kasangaki, the hippos raided his home on Tuesday night, killed the animals and also destroyed the crops.

"They have been coming and destroying gardens, but this was too much. They would have killed all the cows, but others managed to escape. I'm in fear because they may come back. We have been complaining [to the authorities] in vain," a furious Kasangaki told New Vision online. 

He added that the hippos are coming from River Kafu and that the Government should intervene in the matter by installing an electric fence to deter the animals from crossing. 

Rogers Kasaija, a resident of the same village, told New Vision online that hippos have been disturbing them for long and that their complaints have always fallen on deaf ears.

"This season, I planted 10 acres of maize, but five have been destroyed by hippos. When you complain nothing much is done. They destroy our crops season after season. Our prayer to the Uganda Wildlife  Authority (UWA) is to transfer them to the park or put up a live electric fence. They not only destroy maize, but also other crops such as rice and this is our livelihood,"Kasaija said.

Jane Namulindwa, the councillor representing Ntooma parish, said the hippos have disorganised the people noting that they no longer have peace.

James Mudede, the LC3 chairperson of Bwijanga sub-county, said as leaders, they have tried their best to notify the relevant authorities in vain.

"Whenever we inform UWA officials they tell us they have no manpower. They tell us they were transferred and they never got a replacement. They say the ones available are occupied. These animals and crops people are losing are a source of their livelihood. How do you expect them to live? Do you want people to go into poaching?" Mudede said.

Hippos are on the rampage 

About a week ago elephants from Murchision falls national park also invaded villages in Kiruli sub-county and destroyed gardens.

Residents from villages of Kimina, Nyakarongo and Kitengule, among others, have long been complaining over the frequent invasion of elephants in their areas.

A cow killed by a hippo in Kihagani village Bwijanga sub county

A cow killed by a hippo in Kihagani village Bwijanga sub county

Eddy Aguuda, Kiruli LC3 chairperson said the only solution to the frequent invasion of elephants is the electric fence.

"We were told that the Government is going to put an electric fence along the park.  What we are asking for is government to expedite the process such that people are able to benefit from their efforts," Aguuda said.

Earlier this week, there were also reports of hippos raiding several villages on Kalangala islands in Kalangala district.

Efforts to contact UWA spokesperson Bashir Hangi for a comment were futile as his known phone was off by press time.

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Hippos wreak havoc on Kalangala gardens

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