According to the Uganda Police Force, the attack took place Dec. 4 in Western Uganda about half a mile from Lake Edward in the Kasese District.
The boy, identified by police as Paul Iga, was playing near his home when he was grabbed by the amphibious animal, which then swallowed half the child's body, police said in a news release.
Police said a bystander watched the attack take place and threw stones at the hippo in an attempt to stop the attack.
“It took the bravery of one Chrispas Bagonza, who was nearby, to save the victim after he stoned the hippo and scared it, causing it to release the victim from its mouth,” police said.
The boy was taken to hospital for treatment, police said, where he was vaccinated for rabies as a precaution, and released back to his parents.
Police said this was the first incident where a hippo strayed out of the Lake Edward and attacked a young child.
"Although the hippo was scared back into the lake, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats, should know that wild animals are very dangerous," police continued in the release. "Instinctually, wild animals see humans as a threat and any interaction can cause them to act strangely or aggressively."
The boy was taken to a nearby clinic for injuries on one hand and later transferred to Bwera Hospital, west Uganda, for further treatment, the statement added.
The child has now been discharged after making a full recovery, police said. He also received a vaccine for rabies, before being handed back to his parents by the police.
"Although the hippo was scared back into the lake, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats should know that wild animals are very dangerous," the statement said.
"Instinctually, wild animals see humans as a threat and any interaction can cause them to act strangely or aggressively."
Known as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.
The police identified the toddler as Iga Paul and said that the animal grabbed him from the head and swallowed half of his body. They added that the boy had sustained injuries on the hand and was sent to hospital for further treatment. "The victim was immediately rushed for treatment to a nearby clinic, for injuries on the hand and later transferred to Bwera Hospital for further treatment. He recovered fully and was discharged, after receiving a vaccine for rabies. He was thereafter, handed over to the parents by police," the Uganda Police added in a press release.
However, a police spokesperson warned parents staying near animal sanctuaries such as lakes and wildlife centres to be on the lookout for stray animals such as crocodiles and hippos that may attack them.
Hippos, despite being herbivores, can be extremely aggressive when threatened. They have also been observed charging and attacking boats and canoes. A few months ago, three lions who were attempting to cross a river at the Selinda Reserve spillway in Botswana were intercepted by an angry hippo. The Great Plains Conservation shared the video of the incident on YouTube and called it an "unforgettable moment". While Paul was injured and taken to a clinic for treatment, he miraculously survived.
It has been reported that the toddler was transferred to a hospital in Bwera but was sent home after taking a rabies vaccine.
In a statement, Ugandan Police said: 'This is the first such kind of incident where a hippo strayed out of Lake Edward and attacked a young child.'
Police told residents of Katwe Kabatoro Town Council, which is located within Queen Elizabeth National Park on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to remain vigilant around hippos.
The hippopotamus is the world's deadliest large land mammal, killing an estimated 500 people per year in Africa, according to the BBC.
They are aggressive creatures and have very sharp teeth.
At up to 2,750kg, the animals can easily crush a human to death.
Despite their primarily vegetarian diet, the hippopotamus is extremely aggressive and territorial.
The combination of sheer size, sharp teeth and mobility both in and out of water make for a deadly mammal.
They are agile and aggressive and kill large animals and sometimes humans.
A yawning hippo, although it might look cute, can be a sign of a threat.
Over the years hippos have been spotted eating impala, kudu, eland, wildebeest and buffalo.
They are very protective of their habitat, normally dwelling in rivers.
In Niger in 2014, 13 people drowned when hippos overturned their boat.
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