Baboon attacks, injures baby in Masindi
The family has since reported the incident to the relevant authorities.
Masindi: A seven-month-old baby boy has been injured after being attacked by a baboon in Kigaragara Village, Labongo Sub-county, Masindi District. The incident happened yesterday.
The baby’s mother, Kusemererwa Tumuhaise, says the incident happened as she was washing clothes while the baby played with his three-year-old brother. She explains that a baboon suddenly grabbed the baby, but after she raised an alarm, the animal abandoned the child and fled.
The baby’s father, Tumuhaise Muhereza, says the incident occurred at their home, which borders Murchison Falls National Park. He explains that a group of baboons entered their compound and were fighting when one of them grabbed the baby.
Muhereza says his wife’s alarm forced the baboon to drop the child and escape.
Muhereza adds that after the attack, his wife called him and he found the baby bleeding with deep wounds. The child was rushed to a nearby clinic for first aid before being referred to Masindi Kitara Hospital.
He has appealed to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the government to support victims of human-wildlife conflict, noting that wild animals are attacking residents, destroying crops and property, and in some cases causing fatalities.
Dr. Ivan Mutahulira from Masindi Kitara Hospital says the baby was admitted in critical condition with head injuries. He confirms that the child was operated on and is steadily improving.
When contacted, the Warden for Community Conservation at Murchison Falls National Park, Wilson Kagoro, acknowledged the incident. He said UWA sent staff to assess the child’s condition and guide the parents to seek proper medical care.
Kagoro noted that although baboons are not among the compensable animals in cases of human injury or death, UWA will pay the medical bills for the child.
He appealed to residents living near the park to remain vigilant, protect their children and property, and report wildlife incidents in time for immediate response.
By press time, the baby was still admitted at Masindi Kitara Medical Centre receiving treatment.
Previous wildlife attacks
This incident adds to a growing list of human–wildlife conflicts in Masindi District.
In July 2024, residents of Katugo 2 Village, Nyantonzi Sub-county, were left in shock after a chimpanzee killed a two-month-old baby. The incident occurred when the baby’s mother, Flavia Bako, had gone to Budongo Forest Reserve to collect firewood.
The deceased baby was identified as Fatuma Ayikoru.
According to Odua Arcanzilo, the LC1 Chairperson of Katugo 2 Village, the baby cried while in the forest, attracting chimpanzees to the location where the mother, baby, and a sitter were.
“When the chimpanzees appeared, the mother and the sitter fled, leaving the baby behind. The chimpanzees grabbed the child and disappeared into the forest,” Odua said.
He added that residents later attempted a rescue but found the baby already dead.
Odua further revealed that the area had experienced three chimpanzee attacks on infants in 2024 alone. The first occurred in February, when a chimpanzee grabbed a baby from its mother and severely injured it.
The second happened in May, when another baby was snatched and taken up a tree but was later dropped unharmed after residents lured the chimpanzee with yellow bananas.
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