By Ambrose Kweronda
www.mknewslink.com
In Rubanda—-
Marine Police in the Kigezi Region have expressed concern over the increasing cases of drowning on Lake Bunyonyi in Rubanda District.
According to Kigezi region police spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime, they have registered three cases in a space of one months.
SP Tumushime, says the latest was of; 15-year-old boy identified as Mukiza, a resident of Kashasha Trading Centre in Rubanda District, who drowned yesterday, August 18, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m. at Itara Village, on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
The circumstances surrounding the drowning have not yet been fully established, while efforts to recover the body are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime, said people using small canoes and boats should wear life jackets at all times while sailing on the lake. He also discouraged people from sailing on the lake at night.
In April this year, Rubaya Sub-county LCIII Vice Chairperson Innocent Arineitwe Karibobo said about 20 people die annually on Lake Bunyonyi in canoe-related accidents, mainly due to overloading.
“We lose about 20 people every year due to dugout canoe accidents on Lake Bunyonyi. This is a result of poor adherence to established safety precautions, including the use of life jackets. Most accidents are caused by overloading, where up to eight people squeeze themselves into a dugout canoe designed to carry only four people,” Mr Karibobo said.
“We need the Marine Police to ensure that there is no overloading on Lake Bunyonyi. We also appeal to the government to provide enough speedboats that can be used to rescue people in case of an accident,” he added.
In a recent report, police in the Kigezi Sub-region said they would continue engaging the Ministry of Works and Transport and local boat operators to agree on and strengthen safety measures for Lake Bunyonyi.
source: www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
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