A cloud of fear hangs over the residents of Aarapoo in Labor Sub-county, Serere District, following a tragic crocodile attack that claimed the life of 48-year-old Stella Beatrice Kokoi on Wednesday, June 4th.
The incident occurred at Aarapoo landing site as the deceased went fishing, an activity she frequently engaged in to support her family.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that Kokoi was dragged into the water by the crocodile and disappeared from view.
According to Solomon Engemu, the clan chairperson of Ikaribwo, news of the attack reached him while he was watching television at a nearby trading center.
“I was at the center watching the news when I got a call from the GISO (Gombolola Internal Security Officer) informing me of the attack. I rushed to the scene with members of the community, but despite using two small boats, we searched until midnight and failed to recover her body,” Engemu said.
Paul Ilukor, the Officer-in-Charge of Labor Police Post, recounted the events with deep emotion, describing how efforts to locate Kokoi’s body continued for days without success.
“After the incident, we called the Wildlife Authority team. They arrived with a drone on Saturday to conduct an aerial search, but we still couldn’t find the body. They advised us to reduce noise near the water, as the crocodile might be hiding it,” Ilukor said.
On Sunday afternoon, the search came to a grim conclusion when residents heard disturbing noises from the papyrus swamp and discovered Kokoi’s remains.
Her mutilated body was recovered and later identified.
“She has left behind 15 children. It’s a heartbreaking loss for the entire community,” Ilukor added.
The incident has sparked concern and panic among locals, with many now calling on the government and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to intervene.
“We are living in fear. This crocodile is now a man-eater, and human flesh may drive it to attack again,” warned Ilukor.
“We appeal to UWA to come and trap the animal before more lives are lost.”
Local leaders say this is the first fatal crocodile attack in the area, although past encounters with wild animals, including near-attacks on cattle, have been reported.
The community has since been advised to avoid the Aarapoo landing site, especially during nighttime, as efforts to monitor and control the crocodile continue.
Efforts to contact UWA were futile.
As Serere mourns one of its own, the incident underscores the urgent need for strengthened wildlife management and safety awareness in communities living near water bodies.