Snake kills five children

• Three of the children died on the spot while the other two died on arrival at the hospital.

Bugiri
Residents of Bumeru landing site in Bugiri district are mourning the death of five children who were killed by a venomous snake on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The children where attacked by the snake on Saturday as they fetched water from the lake.

The area LC1 chairman, Katibu Mpaata, says residents rushed to the scene when they heard screams from the children but it was already too late to rescue them.

The children, who were all between six and ten, are Charles Ogwelle, Clare Nasuna, Robert Okumu, Andrew Mukisa and Hellen Longole. They were all pupils of Bumeru Primary School.

Mr Mpaata says three of the children died on the spot while the other two died on arrival at the hospital.

It still isn’t known what kind of snake bit the children. The area around Bumeru is marshy and remote and is home to a wide range of wildlife.

Mr Charles Kitosi, the LC3 chairman of Mutumba Sub-County in which Bumeru is located, says it is a known fact that numerous dangers lurk in the waters of Lake Victoria, from poisonous snakes to large crocodiles. He advised parents and guardians to accompany children when they are sent to the lake to fetch water.