Twelve people are feared to have died after the boat in which they were sailing capsized on Lake Albert on Monday.
Kagadi District Police Commander Romeo Ojara says the boat carrying traders and residents of Songarao, Kamina and Kitebere landing sites in Ndaiga Sub-county, Kagadi district capsized near Rwabangi Landing Site in DR Congo at about 7am.
Ojara explained that the boat had set off for DRC at around 11pm on Sunday as traders went to sell fish and other business merchandise. “Six people have been rescued but the whereabouts of 12 others remain unknown. They are feared dead,” he said. Ojara added that police are yet to identify the victims but investigations into the incident have commenced.
The victims, all traders and residents of Kamina, Songarao and Kitebere landing sites in Ndaiga Sub County in Kagadi District were sailing to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Eyewitnesses say the boat was taken off course by strong winds. This is yet another fatal boat accident on Lake Albert.
In May this year, about 30 people died after their boat capsized on the same Lake. The incident occurred at Fofo Landing Site in Buseruka Sub-county after an engine-powered boat transporting football players and fans from Fofo to Runga Landing site in Kigorobya Sub-county, capsized about 300 meters after takeoff.
Water travelers in Uganda, not only on Lake Albert are exposed to such risks due to laxity by authorities to enforce safety measures.
Boat accidents occur frequently in the East African nation, mostly due to overloading, poor weather conditions and people travelling long distances using old wooden vessels.
