A journey that was aimed at enjoying the beautiful scenery of River Nile together with his daughter ended in tears on Saturday evening .
The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) fraternity is mourning the sudden passing of their own Eng.Gershom Rwakasanga .
Rwakasanga , UNOC’S Manager for Terminals Development and Operations at the Jinja Storage Terminal , his body was recovered on Sunday after drowning at Busowoko Falls in Jinja District.
Rwakasanga reportedly slipped and fell into River Nile on Saturday evening while taking photographs with his daughter at the scenic falls.
According to friends at ENOC , Rwakasanga’s body was discovered early Sunday by sand miners working downstream along the Nile.
The miners reportedly found it trapped underwater, entangled in their sand collection equipment.
“His body was found with his wallet, money, and two smartphones,” a local sand miner told this publication .
The miners immediately alerted local leaders and police, who collaborated with fishermen to retrieve the body .
In a statement, UNOC extended condolences to his family and colleagues, sending its “collective thoughts and prayers to all affected by this tragic loss.”
“I learnt with profound sadness the tragic death of comrade Rwakasanga. I worked with him when I was Deputy RCC Jinja City. I condole with the family and UNOC staff. RIP,” Rubaga Deputy RCC Henry Kitambula posted on his X handle .
“The Nile waters claimed your life. You were good, you have gone but shall forever live in our hearts,” Anatoli Kihuka Bamusiima ,another X user said
Eyewitnesses familiar with the deceased said the fatal incident occurred between 5:00pm and 6:00 p.m as he “approached a scenic area near the rapids to take photographs.”
“Tragically, he is believed to have slipped and fallen into the powerful falls, where he was quickly swept away by the water ,” one of the eyewitnesses suggested.
Busowoko Falls, located along the River Nile more than 20 kilometers from Jinja City , has in recent years become a magnet for local and foreign visitors, despite its strong currents and slippery rocks.
Ashraf Kitamirike, a tour guide at Busowoko Beach, said Eng Rwakasanga has been frequenting the place .
“Eng Rwakasanga has been a regular client who comes with friends, but yesterday he showed up with his daughter in a relaxed mood,” he said .
“He first came driving, we showed him where to park, but after parking he changed his mind and was shown another option. He moved out of the car and said, ‘Today I don’t need a guide, I’m just going to sit,” Kitamirike added.
Kitamirike told this publication that visitors saw the engineer and his ‘visibly teen’ daughter exchanging phones as they took photos when the tragedy occurred.
“In a few minutes, the daughter shouted ‘Daddy!’ when he had fallen,” he recalled.