Amolatar, Uganda | Seven people have drowned after a boat capsized on Lake Kyoga in Amolatar District on Friday morning.
The accident occurred at around 11:00am near Kiryanga Village, Kiryanga Parish in Acii Sub County. Police say the vessel, which was carrying 36 passengers, struck a stationary log about 400 metres from the landing site and overturned.
The passengers were travelling from Muchora Abino A Village to Kiryanga to escort their catechist, Oduno Alfred of Muchora Protestant Church, who was attending the burial of his sister, Abuni Joyce.
Among the deceased are Odeke Steven, 65, LC1 chairperson of Muchora Abino A Village; Aguti Catherine, 55, from Dokolo District; Abonyo Sylvia, 35, from Soroti District; Ogwal Jaspher, 38, from Amolatar; Ejang Robina, 30, from Amolatar Town Council; Agwech Semmy, 20, from Etam Sub County; and Aboyi Nama, a male who was later identified after the incident.
Amolatar District LCV Chairperson Geoffrey Ocen confirmed the death toll, saying seven lives were lost.
Dr. Walter Luru, the Medical Superintendent of Amolatar Health Centre IV, also confirmed the fatalities, noting that one pregnant woman died shortly after arrival at the facility while six bodies were retrieved from the lake.
Dr. Luru added that all 11 survivors who were admitted at the facility are now in stable condition.
A joint search by the UPDF Fisheries Protection Unit, Police Marine and local fishermen ended at about 5:50pm after no further bodies were sighted.
Police said the boat was overloaded and the vessel has not yet been recovered.
A team of officers from Amolatar CPS led by D/Sgt Okello Mike, together with SOCO and homicide detectives, visited the scene, recorded statements from survivors and conveyed the bodies to Amolatar Health Centre IV for postmortem.
Local leaders note that parts of Acii Sub County were submerged by waters of Lakes Kyoga and Kwania about five years ago, turning the area into an island where boats remain the only means of transport.
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