Two Drown in Lake Bunyonyi Canoe Accident

A 24-year-old Senior Four student of Lake Bunyonyi Secondary School in Kitumba Sub-county, Kabale District, drowned on Sunday evening in Lake Bunyonyi. 

The deceased, Bruce Ainepurani, was a son of Justus Mbonabeira, a resident of Rwabareera Village, Kitooma Parish in Rubaya Sub-county. He drowned alongside Dickson Kabagambe, 42, a cook at Asiimwe Preparatory Nursery and Primary School, and a resident of Mukoni Village in the same parish.

According to Dickson Kamuhanda, an area resident, the two drowned near Hakampene (Punishment Island) in Kitumba Sub-county at around 5:00 p.m. after their canoe capsized. He said the victims were heading towards Burimba from Bwama Island when the accident occurred.

By Sunday night, the bodies had not yet been recovered. Kamuhanda attributed the accident to strong winds that likely overturned the canoe and noted that the victims were not wearing life jackets. 

Cases of drowning following canoe accidents are common on Lake Bunyonyi. In April 2025, Jenifer Nyabukyerera and Medius Ngyenda, both residents of Rubanda District, drowned after their canoe capsized. In August 2023, two students of Lake Bunyonyi Secondary School also died in a similar incident.