Seven-month-old baby injured in baboon attack in Masindi

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A seven-month-old baby boy has been injured after being attacked by a baboon in Kigaragara village, Labongo subcounty, Masindi district.

According to the child’s biological father, Tumuhaise Muhereeza, the attack occurred on Tuesday (January 6) at their home in Kigaragara village, which borders Murchison Falls National Park.

The incident happened while the baby’s mother was washing clothes in the courtyard, and the child was playing with another three-year-old.

He explained that a group of baboons entered the area while fighting and grabbed the baby.

This prompted the mother to raise an alarm, forcing the baboons to drop the child.

The Labongo subcounty district councillor, Babyesiza Juma Wahid, confirmed the incident, saying the infant sustained three head injuries.

He added that local leaders are engaging officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure the family receives assistance.

"When I received the information, I advised the parents to rush the child to Kitara Medical Centre, where he is currently receiving treatment.

"As leaders, we will continue to engage UWA officials for their intervention," he said.

When contacted, Charles Okuta, the warden of Murchison Falls National Park, Masindi sector, confirmed receiving the report.

He said a team had been dispatched to carry out investigations and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

By press time, the baby was still admitted at Masindi Kitara Medical Centre, where he was receiving treatment.