The Lukwata of Lake Victoria
Fishermen on Lake Victoria tell of the lukwata, a great serpent in the lake's depths that can overturn canoes.
What was reported
Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake, shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The Baganda people of Uganda tell of the lukwata, a huge, serpent-like creature living in the lake. In the early 20th century, colonial officials and missionaries recorded stories of fishermen who said they had seen it.
It is described as large and dark, with a long neck, and is blamed for sudden disturbances on the water.
Explanations offered
No evidence of an unknown animal has been found. Suggested explanations include large crocodiles, Nile monitor lizards, giant catfish and lungfish, and the sudden storms that sweep the lake. The legend reflects the lake's importance and dangers for those who fish it.
- When
- Told for generations
- Where
- Lake Victoria, Uganda
- Witnesses
- Baganda tradition and fishermen
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.