By Frank Kamuntu
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has successfully translocated a notorious man-eating Nile crocodile from Kitagwenda District to the River Nile within Murchison Falls Conservation Area in a major effort to protect communities and reduce deadly human-wildlife conflict.
The overnight operation followed repeated reports of fatal crocodile attacks along the shores of Lake George, where fishing communities have lived under constant fear due to aggressive reptiles targeting residents and fishermen.
The captured crocodile was removed from Mahyoro Town Council near Mahyoro Landing Site, an area that has recorded several deadly attacks over the years.
Kitagwenda District Member of Parliament, Hon. Robert Mugabe, praised UWA for the intervention, saying the operation has restored hope and confidence among residents.
“The people are extremely appreciative. The excitement on the ground is very encouraging. They believe the crocodile captured is the same one responsible for many deaths because it was trapped exactly where several people had lost their lives,” Hon. Mugabe told Swift News.
He said residents now feel much safer following the removal of the dangerous reptile.
“People are happy because their lives are now secure. This operation has brought relief to the community, and I appeal to the UWA team to continue trapping other dangerous crocodiles in the remaining hotspots,” he added.
Hon. Mugabe identified Nyakera Landing Site and Kainja Landing Site as other areas where crocodiles continue to threaten lives, noting that several fatal attacks have also been reported there.
“My humble appeal is that the hunt should continue in those areas so that people can finally feel safe,” he said.
Lake George, together with its surrounding islands and wetlands, forms part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park ecosystem, which is home to a healthy population of Nile crocodiles. The reptiles naturally breed and nest in the lake’s papyrus swamps and islands.
However, fishing communities at Mahyoro, Nyakera and other landing sites operate within the same aquatic environment, increasing the likelihood of encounters between humans and crocodiles.
Wildlife experts note that during periods of high water levels and changing weather conditions, crocodiles move more freely along shorelines and shallow inlets, increasing the risk of attacks. Human activities along lake margins also contribute to closer interactions with territorial or hungry reptiles.
As part of its mandate to conserve wildlife while safeguarding human lives, UWA continuously monitors conflict-prone areas and responds by capturing and relocating rogue or problem animals whenever necessary.
The successful translocation of the Kitagwenda crocodile demonstrates UWA’s commitment to protecting both Uganda’s wildlife and the communities living alongside protected ecosystems.
Residents have welcomed the intervention, expressing optimism that continued operations targeting problem crocodiles in other high-risk areas will further reduce attacks and allow fishermen to carry out their livelihoods without constant fear.
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