By Joseph Kiggundu
Dozens of people are feared dead after a canoe capsized on River Nguse in Kagadi District on Tuesday night, triggering an ongoing search and rescue operation.
The accident happened at around 8:30pm near Kyaleni Village in Pachwa Town Council. The vessel is believed to have been carrying between 35 and 40 passengers at the time of the incident.
Authorities have so far identified one survivor, Byaruhanga Tumuhaise, 27, a resident of the area. However, the exact number of people on board and those still missing remains uncertain due to the lack of a passenger list.
Marine Police teams have since been deployed to the scene and are continuing efforts to locate survivors and recover bodies. Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.
Preliminary findings suggest the canoe may have been overloaded, traveling at night, or in poor condition—factors commonly linked to such accidents. Police have urged families who suspect their relatives may have been on the canoe to report to nearby stations, particularly Kagadi Central Police Station, to assist with identification and rescue efforts.