Two residents of Kasese District are fighting for their lives after a hippopotamus strayed from Queen Elizabeth National Park and attacked them in Nyamwamba Division, Kasese Municipality.
The victims have been identified as John Owe, 56, and Junior Bwambale, 17, both from the same community.
Speaking from his hospital bed at Canopus Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Uganda Limited, Owe recounted the terrifying moment he encountered the animal while returning from his garden around 1pm on Tuesday.
“The hippo just found me on the way and attacked me. I tried to escape but it overpowered me,” he said. Owe, who is the sole breadwinner in his family, expressed fears about his household’s survival if he does not recover.
Bwambale’s condition is even more dire. His mother, Lucia Kapamba, said her son was gored in the stomach, leaving his internal organs exposed.
He is currently admitted at Mt St Mary’s Hospital in critical condition.
“My child is in a very bad state. I want Uganda Wildlife Authority to take full responsibility and meet all the hospital bills regardless of the treatment he will require,” Kapamba demanded.
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers who responded to the scene neutralised the hippo and took away its carcass.
Bashir Hanji, UWA’s Communications Officer, confirmed the incident and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.
“We shall take care of the hospital bills of the victims, and as per policy, they are entitled to compensation,” he assured.
Hanji, however, admitted that human–wildlife conflict remains a persistent challenge despite interventions such as erecting electric fences around protected areas.
“Despite efforts such as putting up the electric fence, wild animals still find their way into residential areas, and this remains a big challenge,” he said.
Kasese District, which borders Queen Elizabeth National Park, has long grappled with cases of wild animals straying into villages, often resulting in injuries, deaths, and crop destruction.
Hippos are particularly notorious for their aggressiveness and are considered among the most dangerous animals in the wild.
While UWA has intensified efforts to address human–wildlife conflicts, including compensating victims and expanding electric fencing in high-risk areas, residents argue that more needs to be done to protect communities living near national parks.
The two victims remain under close medical supervision as their families wait for UWA to fulfil its promises of support and compensation.