Staff Reporter
A 15-year-old boy has been admitted to Rubuguri Health Centre IV in critical condition after suffering severe injuries to his buttocks from baboon bites.
The victim, whose name is being withheld due to his age, is the son of Tuwangye Duriyano from Nyabaremura Cell in Rubuguri Town Council, which is adjacent to Bwindi Gorilla National Park. The boy was attacked this morning around 8 a.m. while attempting to chase a troop of baboons away from his family’s sweet potato garden. His parents had sent him to protect the garden from damage by wild animals, including baboons and monkeys, from Bwindi National Park.
Eyewitnesses reported that the leader of the baboon troop became aggressive, seized the boy, and bit him multiple times on the buttocks as he struggled to defend himself until he was eventually rescued. Nyabaremura LC1 Chairperson, Mujuni Ananius, confirmed the incident to Voice of Muhabura and noted that this is the third wildlife-related injury in the area since last month, with two additional cases reported from the neighboring Nombe Cell.
Mujuni expressed concern over the lack of available medication at Rubuguri Health Centre IV and warned that the community is at increasing risk from baboon attacks. He highlighted that efforts are underway to address the issue.
Rushaga Park Warden Ronald Tindyebwa mentioned that he has not yet received an official report on the incident, despite seeing photos of the victim circulating on social media. He refrained from commenting on the broader security threat to communities living near Bwindi Gorilla National Park at this time.
