15 perish in Lake Albert accident
Jul 04, 2011
ABOUT 15 people are missing and feared dead after their boat capsized on Lake Albert in Buliisa district on Sunday night.
By Pascal Kwesiga and Robert Atuhairwe
ABOUT 15 people are missing and feared dead after their boat capsized on Lake Albert in Buliisa district on Sunday night.
This comes a week after 19 people died when a boat they were using to transport a body to DR Congo for burial capsized on Lake Albert.
Lake Albert straddles the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Boat accidents are relatively common over the lake both side of the border.
The boats are often overcrowded and in poor condition. In August last year, over 30 people died when an overloaded boat capsized on Lake Albert
The mid-western Police spokesperson, Zurah Ganyana, told New Vision yesterday that the latest accident happened when a boat ferrying traders from Hoima to Nebbi district capsized after it encountered a turbulent storm.
She explained that the boat that set off from Hoima landing site in Buseruka sub-county at 3:00pm capsized between Nyamukuta and Kabolwa landing sites in Buliisa district.
The traders, mainly fish mongers with other silver fish and merchandise, were heading to Panyamoro market in Nebbi.
The Buseruka sub-county councillor, Geoffrey Komacheki, said the boat had about 21 people on board.
The head of Butiaba Police marine, Pascal Ecumu, said only six people survived.
Five people were rescued by fishermen from DR Congo, while Oyet Oruke survived after he swam through the water towards a landing site on the Ugandan side.
Ecumu added that the boat capsized when the navigator failed to steer through the turbulent water.
“The lake was hostile and the weather was bad. The navigator stopped the boat as a solution but it was instead overwhelmed by the storm and capsized,†Ecumu said.
However, Ecumu said the Police had not yet established contacts with the survivors who were reportedly taken to Congo by rescuers.
He said the Police marine received a telephone call from the fishermen in DR Congo informing them that they had rescued five people after the accident.
The Search for the survivors and bodies continues.
ABOUT 15 people are missing and feared dead after their boat capsized on Lake Albert in Buliisa district on Sunday night.
This comes a week after 19 people died when a boat they were using to transport a body to DR Congo for burial capsized on Lake Albert.
Lake Albert straddles the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Boat accidents are relatively common over the lake both side of the border.
The boats are often overcrowded and in poor condition. In August last year, over 30 people died when an overloaded boat capsized on Lake Albert
The mid-western Police spokesperson, Zurah Ganyana, told New Vision yesterday that the latest accident happened when a boat ferrying traders from Hoima to Nebbi district capsized after it encountered a turbulent storm.
She explained that the boat that set off from Hoima landing site in Buseruka sub-county at 3:00pm capsized between Nyamukuta and Kabolwa landing sites in Buliisa district.
The traders, mainly fish mongers with other silver fish and merchandise, were heading to Panyamoro market in Nebbi.
The Buseruka sub-county councillor, Geoffrey Komacheki, said the boat had about 21 people on board.
The head of Butiaba Police marine, Pascal Ecumu, said only six people survived.
Five people were rescued by fishermen from DR Congo, while Oyet Oruke survived after he swam through the water towards a landing site on the Ugandan side.
Ecumu added that the boat capsized when the navigator failed to steer through the turbulent water.
“The lake was hostile and the weather was bad. The navigator stopped the boat as a solution but it was instead overwhelmed by the storm and capsized,†Ecumu said.
However, Ecumu said the Police had not yet established contacts with the survivors who were reportedly taken to Congo by rescuers.
He said the Police marine received a telephone call from the fishermen in DR Congo informing them that they had rescued five people after the accident.
The Search for the survivors and bodies continues.