Hippopotamus Kills One, Three Escape After Boat Capsizes on Lake Kwania

By Nasuru Hassan Ocen

A 21-year-old man died and three others narrowly survived after a hippopotamus attacked their fishing boat on Lake Kwania in Kwera Sub-county, Dokolo District, on Sunday evening.

The deceased, Fedrick Emeri, a resident of Agee Village in Agoga Parish, was fishing with three friends when the incident occurred at around 7:00 p.m. The group was returning from their fishing expedition when a hippopotamus rammed their boat, causing it to capsize.

According to Allan Olik, the LC1 Chairperson of Agee Village, the survivors; Moses Odongo (18), Jonathan Okwe (17), and Emmanuel Ogwal (24) managed to swim to safety, while Emeri drowned.

“The community mobilized early Monday morning, and Emeri’s body was recovered around 7:00 a.m., floating near the site of the incident,” Olik said.

Olik noted that this was not the first such tragedy on Lake Kwania. “Last year, a youth from Apok-gor Village was killed in a similar attack. These incidents are becoming more frequent,” he said.

He raised concern over the increasing danger posed by wildlife, particularly hippopotamuses, to both fishermen and farmers. “These animals are not only attacking people but also destroying crops, which could lead to food insecurity,” he warned.

Olik appealed to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to intervene urgently. “We need the government to take this seriously. These animals pose a daily threat to communities around the lake,” he added.

One of the survivors, Moses Odongo, recounted the terrifying experience. “The hippo suddenly emerged and hit our boat hard. It capsized immediately, and we were thrown into the water,” he said. “Luckily, people from the landing site heard our cries and rescued us, but Emeri didn’t make it.”

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has not yet issued a statement on the incident, but residents are demanding increased protection and possible relocation of the animals from heavily populated fishing zones.

Lake Kwania, one of the satellite lakes of Lake Kyoga, supports thousands of small-scale fishermen and serves as a vital economic lifeline for residents of Dokolo, Lira, and surrounding districts. However, increasing human-wildlife conflict particularly involving hippopotamuses and crocodiles has become a growing concern.

The late Fedrick Emeri was laid to rest on Monday in Agee Village. He is survived by his parents and siblings. Community members have vowed to work with local authorities and UWA to find lasting solutions to the persistent wildlife threat