23 bodies recovered from Lake Albert

Aug 03, 2010

TWENTY-THREE bodies have so far been recovered from Lake Albert following the Saturday night boat accident at Kakoma in Runga village in Hoima district.

By Andante Okanya
and Pascal Kwesiga


TWENTY-THREE bodies have so far been recovered from Lake Albert following the Saturday night boat accident at Kakoma in Runga village in Hoima district.

The bodies recovered yesterday were identified as those of Ocweya, Munguromo, Atimango, Lakony, Christine Lapwony, Margaret, Anefa Fosta, Lilian, Jaruva Orom (from DR Congo), Nadi and Ociro Oyewa.

Others were those of Iye Tirwoth, Maxwel, Onditi Butu, Edward Orom (the coxwain), Charles Wathum, Nethobi and that of an unidentified woman.

Preliminary information indicated that there were over 90 people on board.
According to the Police, the boat had the capacity to carry only 40 people. Locals say it was also carrying two tonnes of fish and luggage.

The boat was heading to Panymur market in Nebbi district, an eight-hour journey, according to local fishermen.
The search for more bodies continues today, the Police said.

Yesterday, eight survivors were rescued by the Police. They were Oluke Oyeri, Musa Kendu, Bachou Odyok, Okuku Kiiza, Rasur Gomaryeki, Omach Jaryeokong, Noah Kakuru and Mungurieki Oyewa.

On sunday, 17 people were rescued.
Patrick Lawot, the commandant of the Police Marine, which is leading the rescue team, said the exact number of people on board was yet to be ascertained.

A beach management committee official, Robert Baguma, on Sunday said the boat was not licensed to carry passengers and had no life-jackets.
The survivors narrated that the boat left Runga early in the evening, but the coxswain kept adding more passengers on the way.

They said at about 9:00pm at Kawowa landing site, the coxswain warned the passengers of an oncoming storm and asked some to get off the boat, but only nine agreed to do so.

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