Hoima/Kibaale – A boat carrying 50 people capsized on Lake Albert Saturday morning resulting in the death of several people.
Other reports suggest the boat was carrying over 100 people.
The boat which was travelling from Hoima district to Ntoroko district when tragedy struck at 10am.
Mr Charles Ssembabulidde, the Midwestern Regional Police Commander said they were investigating the cause of the accident.
“Preliminary information indicates that the boat was transporting some Congolese refugees who boarded the boat from Bugoma landing site and were heading to Ntororo district in order for them to cross to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Ssembabulidde said.
Preliminary investigations showed majority of victims were refugees from Kyangwali refugee camp.
Ssembabulidde said the boat capsized around Kitebere landing site in Kibaale district. Lake Albert straddles the Uganda-DR Congo border.
“I have been informed that 27 people have been rescued and eight bodies retrieved,” Ssembabulidde said.
Fishermen who witnessed the boat accident rescued the survivors.
The survivors, according to police, were saved by fishermen who saw the accident happen.
Volunteers and the police marine officials had begun a joint search for bodies and missing people.
By 12.30 pm volunteers had managed to rescue 36 people.
“We found them trapped in the boat that capsized. We have also recovered 19 bodies but we expect more bodies,” Chunyai said.
Mr Chunyai in whose sub-county the accident occurred said local leaders had a Kibaale district local government boat to transport the bodies to Ntoroko health centre for post mortem report.
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