KAMPALA, Uganda — A devastating accident on the Nguse River in western Uganda has left scores of people unaccounted for, with some 30 individuals still reported missing as of May 1, 2026.
The incident occurred when a wooden canoe, carrying an estimated 35 to 40 passengers, capsized on Tuesday night. Authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of passengers due to the absence of a passenger manifest. Survivors have recounted that the vessel was transporting bags of charcoal, and it is believed that the boat was heavily overloaded, a factor that has been cited as a primary cause of the accident.
Local authorities reported that approximately eight people had managed to swim to safety, while anxious families await any news of their missing relatives. Rescue efforts, involving divers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and the Uganda Police Force, have been ongoing, with more bodies being recovered from the river.
A marine policeman, Sulaiman Karungi, stated that the overloaded condition of the boat and the vessel’s poor condition were likely contributing factors to the tragedy.
The capsizing of the boat has highlighted the risks associated with the use of old and poorly maintained vessels on Uganda’s waterways. It has also sparked a broader conversation about the safety of water transportation in the country, particularly in rural areas where other infrastructure is limited.
An inquiry into the cause of the accident is underway, with officials confirming that the vessel was overloaded and likely unseaworthy.
The incident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy in 2018, when a passenger ferry sank on the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
As the search for the missing continues, the River Nguse tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in unsafe water transportation and underscores the urgent need for improved safety regulations and the maintenance of vessels to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
