Three mourners drown in Lake Kwania

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DOKOLO - What should have been a boat ride to ease the pain of losing a loved one, has turned tragic and claimed the lives of three mourners.

It is reported that on August 8, 2024, three individuals went for a boat ride on Lake Kwania at Ojur Cell, Amuda Eastern Ward, Agwata town council in Dokolo district.

The incident occurred at about 10:00am and was reported to the Police by Ojur cell LC1 chairperson John Oguta.

The deceased have been identified as:

• Ronald Otwii, 24, a resident of Ojur cell, Amuda ward, Agwata town council.
• Ayubentine Okwada, 25, a resident of Odipawigweng village, Arioti Pariaga, Agali sub-county, Lira district.
• Okao, 26, a resident of Ojur cell, Amuda eastern ward, Agwata Town Council.

Agwata LC3 chairperson Tony Obel on Sunday, August 11 said people had gathered for the funeral of an elderly woman, which attracted relatives from far and wide.

He noted that some close relatives spent the night after the funeral, and in the morning, four youths went to see and have a ride on the lake.

As they were returning to shore, the boat capsized. Only one person managed to swim to shore, but the three who did not know how to swim drowned.

North Kyoga Police region spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the incident saying it followed a burial on August 7, which Okwada attended with his parents from Lira. The next morning, at about 7:00AM, Okwada, along with his relatives: Otwii and Okao, went to Lake Kwania to bathe. Unfortunately, they are suspected to have drowned in the lake.

A case was registered at Agwata Police post. The scene was visited and documented by the officer in charge (OC) of Agwata Police Post and colleagues.

The bodies of the deceased were retrieved from the lake and taken to Dokolo Health Center IV for postmortem as investigations continue.

Okema described the incident as unfortunate and urged the public to exercise caution when visiting unfamiliar places with water bodies.