Crocodile kills teen as Lake Edward threats persist

In a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking in Lake Edward’s waters, a 15-year-old was fatally attacked by a crocodile on December 19, 2024, sparking renewed alarm in fishing villages grappling with the menace of hostile aquatic animals.

Speaking to New Vision, SP Nelson Tumushime, the Rwenzori East Region Police spokesperson, identified the deceased as Abdallah Katusiime, a Katwe Quaran Primary School pupil in the same town council.

"He was attacked by a crocodile at approximately 1900 hours on December 19, 2024, and our territorial Police in Katwe Kabatoro Division is investigating circumstances surrounding his death," Nelson said.

Tumushime further revealed that upon learning of the unfortunate incident, their Marine Police Department responded by entering the waters to carry out a comprehensive search for the body or remains of the deceased, but nothing has been retrieved so far.

"The search is still ongoing, and this is the 7th attack by these deadly crocodiles on the shores of Lake Edward this year alone," he said.

Weakened defences

John Bosco Kananura, the chairperson LC3 of Katwe Kabatoro Town Council, said that although there are cages on the lake shores to prevent people from crocodile attacks, Katusiime was killed in one that was recently damaged by hippos.

"The chairperson LC1 of Rwenjubu cell put a padlock on the damaged cage and warned people to stop using it and fetch water from the borehole instead. They adamantly refused to listen and continued jumping into it," Kananura said.

"So soon, we shall be repairing all the damaged cages after mobilising enough resources," he added.

Kananura also revealed that hostile aquatic animals, especially hippos and crocodiles, have endangered lives in his area over the years, leaving several people dead and many others nursing serious wounds in hospitals.

Justus Mwesige nursing wounds at Mount st. Mary's Hospital in Kasese Municipality a few weeks ago after losing his arm to a crocodile on the shore of lake Edward in Kate Kabatoro Town Council.

"Last week alone, a one Monday Akocha, a resident of Kyarukara village, was eaten up by a crocodile, and up to now, we have not yet recovered a single part of his body remains," he said.

He further appealed to local residents and visitors touring Lake Edward to abide by the warning posters placed along the shores, especially those indicating that a specific corner or section of the water is infested with crocodiles and other hostile aquatic animals.

Delayed translocation

Kananura said they have, on several occasions, requested the Uganda Wildlife Authority to translocate some of the crocodiles from the lake, as has been the practice whenever they overpopulate. However, their requests have gone unanswered.

"These giant man-eaters are now all over the shores of the lake, and our people are in total danger," Kananura said.