The tragic death of Stella Beatrice Kokoi, a 48-year-old mother of 15, who was killed by a crocodile while fishing along the flooded shores of Lake Kyoga, has ignited fresh calls for urgent government action to address the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Uganda’s flood-prone areas.
Kokoi’s body was discovered on Sunday morning, four days after the attack, as the crocodile attempted to feed on her remains. The incident has shaken the community of Serere District and brought renewed attention to the dangers faced by residents living near rising water bodies.
During the burial on Sunday, State Minister for Fisheries and Serere Woman MP Hellen Adoa said the tragedy exposed a growing national crisis that demands immediate and sustained intervention.
“This is no longer just an isolated attack—it’s part of a larger pattern,” Adoa said. “Flooding has displaced wild animals from their natural habitats, forcing them into human settlements. The government must respond decisively.”
She called on the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to provide compensation to Kokoi’s family and to step up efforts to mitigate the threat posed by crocodiles, hippos, and other wildlife now encroaching on communities.
Kokoi, described as the sole breadwinner for her 15 children—some in secondary and primary school—had gone fishing to provide food for her family. Her death has left the children vulnerable, prompting Adoa to pledge follow-up support.
“I will not let this rest,” Adoa vowed. “Beyond compensation, we must work to ensure no other family suffers this way.”
The minister urged authorities to identify high-risk zones along Lake Kyoga and install protective barriers, such as wire fencing, to prevent similar incidents. She also called for increased community sensitization on how to safely coexist with wildlife, particularly during the rainy season when animal movements intensify.
“This is about prevention. If we can’t protect our people from these threats, we risk losing more innocent lives,” Adoa said.
Local leaders and residents echoed the call for urgent government response. Paul Otim, a neighbor of the deceased, described Kokoi as “a pillar of this village,” whose loss is being felt beyond her immediate family.
“This family is now in crisis. She was their everything,” Otim said.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has yet to issue a statement on the matter. However, environmental experts have long warned that climate change-induced flooding is contributing to increased encounters between humans and wild animals.
