A 12-year-old boy has died after sustaining severe injuries in a crocodile attack along the shores of Lake Kyoga in Buyende district, eastern Uganda.
The deceased, Bashir Walubo, a resident of Iyingo village in Kagulu sub-county, was last seen alive on Wednesday evening while playing with friends before accompanying them to fetch water from the lake.
According to residents, Walubo was drawing water from the shoreline when a crocodile emerged from the lake and attacked him. The reptile inflicted severe injuries before fishermen who were preparing to cast their nets intervened and rescued the boy.
Walubo was rushed to a nearby private clinic for emergency treatment. His father, Ali Kalulu, said the boy sustained serious injuries to the chest and abdomen and was in severe pain.
Kalulu explained that after receiving first aid, Walubo was referred to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for specialised treatment. However, the family was unable to raise the transport costs required to take him there and returned home.
He said the boy later succumbed to his injuries as efforts to secure further medical assistance were still underway. Michael Kange, a member of the Iyingo Beach Management Committee, said crocodile attacks remain a persistent threat in the area.
