Relief as UWA Captures, Relocates Deadly Crocodile Behind Fatal Kitagwenda Attacks

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has successfully captured and relocated a rogue Nile crocodile believed to have been responsible for several fatal attacks in Kitagwenda District, bringing relief to communities that have lived in fear along the shores of Lake George.

The crocodile was translocated overnight from Mahyoro Town Council near Mahyoro Landing Site to the River Nile within Murchison Falls Conservation Area as part of UWA’s ongoing efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict while conserving Uganda’s wildlife.

For years, residents and fishermen around Mahyoro Landing Site have reported repeated crocodile attacks, with several lives lost. The presence of the reptile had created widespread fear, forcing many people to carry out their daily activities with extreme caution.

Kitagwenda District Member of Parliament Robert Mugabe welcomed the operation, saying the community believes the captured crocodile was responsible for many of the attacks because it was trapped in the same area where several fatalities had occurred.

“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,” Mugabe said in an interview.

He said the removal of the crocodile had restored confidence among residents, who now feel safer using the lake for their daily activities.

“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 said.

The legislator identified Nyakera Landing Site and Kainja Landing Site as areas that continue to experience crocodile attacks and urged UWA to extend its operations to those locations.

“My humble appeal is that the hunt should continue in those areas so that people can finally feel safe,” he added.

Lake George forms part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park ecosystem and supports one of Uganda’s healthy populations of Nile crocodiles. The reptiles naturally breed in the lake’s wetlands and papyrus swamps, but the close proximity of fishing communities to these habitats often increases encounters between people and crocodiles.

According to wildlife experts, changing water levels and seasonal conditions can cause crocodiles to move closer to shorelines and fishing areas, increasing the likelihood of attacks. Human activities such as fishing, washing and collecting water along the lake’s edge also contribute to the conflict.

UWA says it continues to monitor areas prone to human-wildlife conflict and responds by capturing and relocating dangerous animals where necessary to protect lives while maintaining healthy wildlife populations.

The successful relocation of the crocodile highlights UWA’s continued efforts to strike a balance between wildlife conservation and public safety, particularly in communities that share natural habitats with dangerous animals.

Residents have welcomed the intervention and expressed hope that similar operations at other high-risk landing sites will further reduce crocodile attacks, allowing fishermen and other lake users to carry out their livelihoods without constant fear.