Hippos raid villages in Soroti, destroy crop fields and leave residents living in fear

SOROTI, June 24, 2026 — Residents in several parts of Soroti district in eastern Uganda are living in fear of hunger after hippos strayed from lake Kyoga’s papyrus swamps and invaded villages, destroying crop fields and forcing some families to retreat indoors early each evening for their safety.

Among the affected villages are Oregia in Asuret Subcounty, Aokot in Gweri Subcounty, and Abaango village in Ocokcan Subcounty.

According to Timothy Alimu, Chairperson of Asuret Subcounty, the invasions have persisted for nearly three weeks despite repeated reports to local authorities.

“I have reported this issue to higher authorities, including the District Chairperson and the RDC [Resident District Commissioner], but little has been done to ease the situation,” Alimu said.

He called on government to intervene urgently, saying communities are terrified and unable to tend to their gardens because of the roaming animals.

Authorities, he added, must act quickly to protect residents and prevent further crop losses.

Farmers say the attacks have left them counting heavy losses, with many now afraid to visit their fields, especially at dusk.

John Elogu, one of the affected farmers, said the hippos had destroyed his entire potato and groundnut garden.

“The destruction has left us worried. We work hard to plant, but in one night the hippos come and destroy everything. We do not know how we shall feed our families or pay school fees if this continues,” Elogu said.

Meanwhile, Charles Adicha, LC I Chairperson of Oregia village in Asuret Subcounty, confirmed that more than 15 gardens had been destroyed.

Among the affected crops are soya beans, groundnuts, maize and potatoes.

He said residents are now forced to remain indoors from around 7 p.m., when the hippos become active and begin moving around homesteads, particularly those near swampy areas.

“I have advised my people not to move around at night and to take precautions whenever they need to step outside,” Adicha said.

Soroti district LCV Chairperson Bob Owiny confirmed receiving reports that villages in Agulei, Aokot, Abaango and Oregia had been affected and said there was clear evidence of hippo activity.

“I carried out verification and there is clear evidence that villages in my district have been invaded by hippopotamuses,” Owiny said.

He noted that some residents had suggested killing the animals in retaliation for their losses, while others wanted to consume the meat.

However, with support from the Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA], the district plans to conduct community sensitisation on measures to prevent further invasions.

Communities in Ocokcan and Agulei have already been engaged, while outreach activities in Asuret Subcounty are yet to begin.

Owiny urged residents to remain calm, avoid harming the animals and stay away from lake shores and swamp areas at night until UWA responds.

Speaking to this reporter, Bashir Hangi, Manager for Communications and Public Relations at UWA, said communities often report wildlife incidents only to local leaders instead of informing the authority directly.

“I wish communities would notify not only their leaders but also UWA so that we can respond early enough and protect them,” Hangi said.

He explained that delays in intervention are not deliberate but are often caused by late reporting and competing demands on response teams.

However, he said UWA would dispatch a team to assess the affected areas.

“Our interest is to protect communities and their gardens, therefore we encourage residents to report incidents promptly,” Hangi added.

UWA handles problem hippos through a multi-pronged approach that includes capturing and relocating stray animals to gazetted habitats, eliminating those that pose an immediate threat to human life, and sensitising communities on safe coexistence with wildlife.

https://thecooperator.news/hunger-looms-as-hippos-invade-and-destroy-crops-in-masindi-villages/

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