An unspecified number of people is still missing after a canoe they were sailing in capsized in River Nguse in Kagadi district on Tuesday night.
According to the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, Julius Hakiza, the incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on April 28 at Kyaleni Village in Pachwa Town Council.
“The canoe was carrying an estimated 35–40 passengers but the exact number of missing persons is yet to be confirmed due to lack of a passenger manifest,”Hakiza said.
He noted that police responded to the incident and one survivor identified as Byaruhanga Tumuhaise (27), a resident of Kyaleni was rescued.
Hakiza said marine Police have since launched search and rescue operations as efforts continue to locate survivors and recover possible victims.
He said preliminary assessments point to several possible causes of the accident, including overloading, night travel, and the condition of the vessel but said ongoing investigations will tell what could have happened to the canoe.
“We urge relatives of anyone who may have been on the canoe to report to Kagadi CPS,”Hakiza said.
