The death toll of victims who drowned in a tragic water accident on Lake Albert has increased to 16 after a joint search team of Police, UPDF marines and the local fishermen retrieved more six bodies.
The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon after the boat they were travelling in capsized. The boat that was transporting a local football team and fans from Foso Landing Site to Runga Landing Site, in Kigorobya, Hoima district, capsized a few minutes after it had taken off.
According Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, Hakiiza Allan, Six more bodies have been retrieved, the bodies have been identified as Ayiyorwotha Komakech, male juvenile, 15years, Kyoshaba Bob, 28yrs, Balikenda Kisembo, 20yrs, Adinan Oscar, 18yrs, Pirwoth Opek Rwoth, 20yrs and Jango Filisido, 26yrs.
Yesterday police spokesperson Fred Enanga said a total of 32 occupants managed to survive after they were rescued as others swam to the shores.
The other retrievd bodies include, Nyayenga Sande female adult of 22 years, Sisto Olarworth 20 years, Kotu Jareth 19 years, Anita Janet 18 years, Ayera Biwaga 18 years, Majid, Oyeny Dollar Winnie, Omirambe Jackisa 23 years and, Pasco 18 years.
The bodies were transported to Hoima Referral Hospital for post-mortem before they could be handed over to the immediate relatives for burial.
He urged all boat operators on Ugandan waters to adhere to the maritime safety precautions in place, and also work closely with the inspectors from the Ministry of Works and Transport, to streamline their operation on the waters.
“The incident is currently under investigation after it was established that the landing site is ungazetted, no life jackets and manifests or registers for passengers, the boats are neither inspected nor licensed to operate, and with no established management structures in place,” he said.
