9 bodies retrieved from Lake Albert

By Ismael Kasooha in Kibaale

NINE bodies have been retrieved from the waters of Lake Albert following the accident on Friday morning where at least 10 people drowned. 

The chairman Nguse Beach management Unit (BMU) David Musinguzi told New Vision that two boats capsized when fishermen who had gone on night duty were blown by strong winds a few meters to dock. 

“We had alarms as people yelled for help from the waters and we immediately used another boat to rescue them,” said Musinguzi.

 He said that out of the 17 they only managed to rescue 7. The accident occurred at Nguse landing site in Ndaiga sub county Kibaale district at around 4AM on Friday. 

He said that efforts to save other people were hampered by the heavy down pour and the strong winds that raged on for some hours.

“We also feared for our lives as we tried to rescue these people,” said Musinguzi.

 Anatoli Nyakoojo, one of the survivors told New Vision that the big boat had 17 people on board while the small one had only 3 people including himself.

“I am speechless because I was saved by the grace of God,” said Nyakoojo.

He said that the small boat which was loaded with fish did not capsize but was also blown by the winds and was just about to land with their catch.

Nyakoojo said that the winds blew them back into the waters and the big boat which had 17 people on board capsized sending all the occupants into water.

The dead have been identified as Byaruhanga, Boniface Marirwe, Joseph Mutoro, Bosco Muhereza, Idi Mbaziira, Kalidi Kato, Mukiza, Baguma Patrick Amooti among others.

 Some of the survivors have been identified as Anatoli Nyakoojo, Yoona, Mjuuza, Asiimwe and Chance.

 Musinguzi said that the search for more bodies is on but he doubts whether there are any survivors left.

The 9 bodies have been handed over to relatives for burial.

Unlike the nasty accident this year which claimed over 110 Congolese refugees who were escaping from Kyangwali refugee camp, these were all Ugandans who had gone fishing.

The dead are from the sub counties of Muhorro, Mpeefu. Muhorro town council and Ndaiga sub county.