News
Teacher's body recovered five days after canoe tragedy on Lake Bunyonyi
The Police Marine Unit joined forces with local divers and community members to eventually find the body of John Tumukunde after a canoe in which he was travelling to church last Sunday capsized.
John Tumukunde was the headteacher of Musamba Primary School. (Courtesy photo)
By: Bruno Mugizi, Journalist @New Vision
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The body of a 45-year-old teacher who drowned in Lake Bunyonyi — one of the deepest lakes in Africa — was recovered Friday (July 31) after a five-day search operation.
The Police Marine Unit joined forces with local divers and community members to eventually find the body of John Tumukunde after a canoe in which he was travelling to church last Sunday capsized.
At the time, he was with a one 19-year-old Rebecca, who was rescued.
Tumukunde was the headteacher of Musamba Primary School, which is located in Rubaya sub-county, Ndorwa West County in Kabale district.
He was a resident of Butebe village, Nyamilyango parish in Rubanda.
While Rebecca was rescued by the Police Marine Unit and local residents, Tumukunde disappeared beneath the water, until his body was found nearly a week after the canoe disaster.
The body was taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, Nelson Tumushime, commended the joint search team and Rubanda district authorities for their dedication to the search.
He was a resident of Butebe village, Nyamilyango parish in Rubanda.
While Rebecca was rescued by the Police Marine Unit and local residents, Tumukunde disappeared beneath the water, until his body was found nearly a week after the canoe disaster.
The body was taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, Nelson Tumushime, commended the joint search team and Rubanda district authorities for their dedication to the search.
"Their persistence made it possible to recover the body," he said, also urging the public to observe water transport safety measures.
"We continue to urge members of the public using Lake Bunyonyi and other water bodies to always wear life jackets, avoid travelling at night or during bad weather, ensure boats are in good condition and not overloaded, and report missing persons immediately to the nearest police station for a quick response."
Police said they were still investigating the incident.
The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025 showed that the Marine Police, working with communities around the country's water bodies, rescued 58 people and retrieved 96 bodies out of 111 fatalities recorded in 2025.
Police said the figures highlighted the need for strict adherence to water transport safety measures.
"We continue to urge members of the public using Lake Bunyonyi and other water bodies to always wear life jackets, avoid travelling at night or during bad weather, ensure boats are in good condition and not overloaded, and report missing persons immediately to the nearest police station for a quick response."
Police said they were still investigating the incident.
The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025 showed that the Marine Police, working with communities around the country's water bodies, rescued 58 people and retrieved 96 bodies out of 111 fatalities recorded in 2025.
Police said the figures highlighted the need for strict adherence to water transport safety measures.