A devastating water accident has struck Kagadi District after a canoe carrying an estimated 35 to 40 passengers capsized on River Nguse in Kyaleni Village, Pachwa Town Council, late Monday night.
According to Albert Region Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza, the tragic incident occurred at around 8:30pm on April 28, 2026. Police responded immediately after receiving reports of the disaster, but by Tuesday morning, only one survivor had been rescued.
The survivor was identified as 27-year-old Byaruhanga Tumuhaise, a resident of Kyaleni Village.
“Police in Kagadi District are responding to a tragic incident in which a canoe carrying an estimated 35–40 passengers capsized on River Nguse at Kyaleni Village, Pachwa Town Council, on 28/04/2026 at about 2030hrs. Police responded immediately. One survivor has been identified as Byaruhanga Tumuhaise (27), a resident of Kyaleni,” Hakiza said in a statement.
Authorities say the exact number of those missing is still unknown because the canoe did not have a passenger manifest, complicating rescue and accountability efforts.
Marine Police teams are currently leading search and rescue operations as families anxiously await news of their loved ones.
Preliminary investigations suggest that overloading, traveling at night, and the condition of the vessel could have contributed to the disaster.
The incident has once again raised concerns over water transport safety in Uganda, particularly in rural communities where overcrowded boats, poor vessel maintenance, and lack of safety enforcement remain common.
Police have pledged to continue rescue efforts and investigations as the district grapples with what could become one of the deadliest water accidents in the region.
