Crocodiles terrorise Namayingo residents

Bukooli Island Member of Parliament George Ouma Abott

Residents living at different islands in Namayingo have asked the Government to rescue them from crocodiles mauling people in the area.

The residents say the crocodiles target fishermen and those fetching waters from lake shores.

Simon Ouma, the Dolwe councillor representing people living with disability, said despite a team of officials led by tourism minister Ephraim Kamuntu trapping one crocodile from the lake about five months ago, there are still more crocodiles on the lake.

Ouma said the minister's team was misled and taken to Golofa landing site, yet the more dangerous areas are Butanira and mwanga landing sites.

He said pupils of Butanira Primary School who do not have a borehole at the school are at risk since they fetch water from the lake shores.

He revealed that a total of 144 people have been killed by the crocodile at the island in the past five years, while others survived with severe injuries.

Steven Ochwo, one of the residents said his son Jimmy Ochwo was killed by a crocodile on January 9 when he had gone swimming with colleagues in the lake.

He said they only buried his body parts and wondered why victims' families were not being compensated by the Government since it was its duty to protect people.

Bukooli Island Member of Parliament George Ouma Abott said they raised the matter with relevant authorities which prompted the tourism ministry to intervene. He promised to continue engaging them about the developments.