Marine Divers Launch Search for River Nguse Boat Tragedy Victims

Marine divers have launched a search for bodies and possible survivors following a deadly boat accident on the River Nguse that is feared to have claimed more than 20 lives.

The incident occurred at Kyaleni Cell in Pacwa Town Council, Kagadi District, on Tuesday evening. Eight people are reported to have survived.

Preliminary reports indicate that a locally made canoe, carrying more than 30 passengers along with bags of charcoal, capsized while crossing the river. The passengers were travelling from Kikuube District to Pacwa Town Council in Kagadi at the time of the accident.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, told Uganda Radio Network (URN) on Wednesday afternoon that marine divers have begun operations to locate the missing persons. By press time, no bodies had been recovered.

Hakiza has appealed to relatives of those still missing to report to Kagadi Police Station and provide details to aid identification efforts. He added that initial police findings suggest the canoe was overloaded at the time it capsized.


Justus Businge, the LCIII Chairperson of Pacwa Town Council, said the victims are believed to be mainly charcoal burners and farmers. He explained that they had crossed to Kikuube District for charcoal burning and farming activities and were returning to Kagadi when the accident occurred.

Meanwhile, relatives of the missing have gathered at the scene as the search operation continues.