Hunger looms as hippos invade and destroy crops in Masindi villages

MASINDI, July 28, 2025 – – Residents of several villages in Miirya Sub-county, Masindi district, including Katagurukwa, Kinuuma, Kibaali, Balyegomba, Kijenga, Kyarukunya, and Kigezi, are fearing for their livelihoods and food security following an ongoing invasion by hippopotamuses that are destroying their crops.

The community says that despite numerous pleas over the past four years to have the stray animals, estimated at around five, relocated to gazetted areas, no action has been taken.

Speaking to theCooperator News recently, residents reported continuous destruction of crops over several seasons, leaving many unable to feed their families or afford school fees for their children.

Raymond Wabyona, a farmer in Katagurukwa village, called for both the relocation of the hippos and compensation for the losses incurred.

“Last season, I lost an entire acre of maize and half an acre of sweet potatoes. I now depend on market-bought food, yet I am a farmer. My children are also out of school because I can’t afford the fees,” he said.

Enoch Baguma, another farmer from Katagurukwa, expressed frustration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA], saying their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

“We’ve asked UWA to intervene and remove the animals, but instead, they accuse us of farming in wildlife territory, which is simply not true. The hippos are the ones invading our villages,” he said.

Baguma noted that the hippos’ preferred crops include maize, sweet potatoes, beans, and sugarcane, key staples for many local households.

Esther Night, a farmer in Kinuuma village, said she lost a substantial amount of maize and sweet potatoes to hippo raids in 2023.

“We reported the incident to UWA and an evaluation was carried out, but nothing has been done since. They blamed me for cultivating near a stream, yet the hippos even destroy crops far from water,” she said.

Christine Balikurungi, also from Katagurukwa, said their survival is at risk due to repeated crop destruction.

“Some people have given up farming entirely because they’re harvesting nothing. This season, we didn’t even bother planting maize because the hippos target it. They destroyed all four acres of my sugarcane. We’ve raised our concerns with every relevant office, including UWA, but nothing has changed.”

She added that UWA’s advice to “scare the hippos away” is neither practical nor safe. Residents are increasingly fearful for their children, as the hippos now roam near homes, attacking and killing domestic animals.

“Farming and rearing animals are our only sources of livelihood. What are we supposed to do to survive? Many of us can’t even pay school fees anymore,” she lamented.

Local leaders weigh in

Livingston Kyotamanya, the LCIII Chairperson for Miirya Sub-county, confirmed that leaders have also tried, without success, to secure a solution.

“The situation is critical. People have lost crops and animals. In Kinumi village, two large cows were killed. We’ve written to UWA, but there’s been no response. Hunger is now looming in the area because of the high level of destruction. We appeal to UWA to relocate these animals,” he urged.

UWA responds

Wilson Kagoro, the Conservation Education Officer at Murchison Falls National Park, acknowledged the hippo problem in the area. He confirmed that three hippos had been identified as dangerous, and one had already been “gotten rid of” after posing a serious threat to people.

“Unfortunately, hippos cannot be darted or tranquilised and then relocated, because their skin is too thick. We are therefore considering getting rid of the remaining ones. I intend to coordinate with the LCIs of the affected villages to survey the area and, once permission is granted, we will proceed with action and assess the situation for possible compensation.”

Kagoro noted that hippos are among the animals eligible for compensation if they cause destruction of property, injury, or death.

https://thecooperator.news/stray-hippos-kill-cattle-in-katakwi-district/

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