Fisherman survives crocodile attack at Kalangala landing site

[Da Dona]

A 20-year-old fisherman narrowly escaped death on Sunday evening after a crocodile attacked him while he was bathing at Semawundo Landing Site in Bufumira Sub-county, Kalangala District.

Henry Tumusiime was attacked at about 8pm, according to Aloysius Kalanda, the fisheries officer in charge of Semawundo Landing Site.

Mr Kalanda said the crocodile suddenly lunged out of the water, grabbed Mr Tumusiime by the hand and attempted to drag him into deeper waters.
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"He had finished bathing and was preparing to move out of the lake. The crocodile jumped and caught his hand, dragging him into deeper waters," Mr Kalanda said.​

Mr Tumusiime's colleagues tried to pull him to safety as he struggled with the reptile.
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"He tried to pull his hand out of the jaws of the crocodile with the help of his friends but in vain. Later, he grabbed a boat anchor with his other hand, which gave him the leverage needed to break free from the crocodile's grip," Mr Kalanda said.​

After freeing himself, Mr Tumusiime scrambled into a nearby boat before residents rescued him and rushed him to Bufumira Health Centre for treatment.

Mr Tumusiime, a school dropout who moved to Semawundo about a decade ago to pursue fishing, regularly joined fellow fishermen and local footballers to bathe in the lake after matches.

The attack is the third reported crocodile incident in Kalangala District this month, following similar attacks at Lwabaswa and Kaazi Bugaba landing sites.

Rising crocodile encounters
Local leaders and residents say crocodile sightings near human settlements have increased, raising concerns about the safety of communities that depend on Lake Victoria.

Frank Sekabunga, the former deputy chairperson of Bufumira Sub-county, said the reptiles are increasingly straying into active landing sites instead of remaining in traditional nesting areas such as Bukoba, Misenyi and Kamilatanga.
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"These reptiles have come out of their nests and are now visible at landing sites heavily used by fishermen and passengers boarding boats," Mr Sekabunga said.​

He cited the recent incident at Lwabaswa, where a crocodile attacked a youth in shallow waters as he loaded goods and passengers onto a boat.
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"Now in Bufumira, the victim was attacked just three metres from the shore," he added.​

Mr Sekabunga said the lack of alternative water sources puts residents at greater risk, particularly during peak hours.
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"The lake is our only water source. Residents fetch water up to 8:00 p.m., which unfortunately coincides with the time these crocodiles begin hunting," he said.​

Residents call for UWA intervention
As fear grows among island communities, residents are calling on the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and district authorities to find a lasting solution to the increasing crocodile encounters.
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"These crocodiles are now coming to find us at the landing sites; we are not encroaching on their nesting places," one resident said on condition of anonymity. "We need clear guidance and a permanent solution because the threat is increasing each day."​

Patrick Tumusiime, the district councillor representing Bufumira Sub-county, urged UWA to deploy wildlife officers to relocate problem crocodiles and put protective measures in place.

He said residents should be able to carry out their daily activities and livelihoods without fear of fatal encounters with wildlife.


Daily Monitor UG​

 

[Mbaga Jr]

It's very sad