Tourism Minister, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu says they have successfully captured one of the crocodiles which has reportedly been attacking and killing people in Kamwango landing site in Namayingo district.
The operation follows President Yoweri Museveni’s directives after receiving reports that the crocodiles are killing and attacking people on Dolwe Island. Consequently Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) dispatched its team and launched operation that has led to the capture of 125 reptiles.
According to Kamuntu, at least 50 people have been killed by crocodiles on Bukooli Islands in Namayingo district in the last three years. Leaders however, say Butanira village and Dolwe West parish are the most affected areas.
Earlier, Minister Kamuntu, Director Conservation John Makombo and Stephen Masaba the Director Tourism and Business Development together with the team of UWA flagged off one of the crocodiles that was captured from Namayingo district for relocation to Murchison falls National Park.
The Minister said that this is a continuing effort that has seen the capture of 124 crocodiles saying more will be done in future for economic activities to thrive on the shores of lake Victoria and Dolwe island.
He said their coexistence is possible adding that intervention measures which include but not limited to the putting in place of piped water on the island to avert challenges of being attacked while fetching water from the main stream.
He encouraged investments in crocodile farming, saying it is a tourist attraction and a source of income from within and outside tourists.