A somber funeral journey turned into a deadly tragedy on Lake Kyoga today when a transport boat carrying mourners capsized just 400 meters from its destination, killing at least seven people and leaving others in shock.
The ill-fated vessel, powered by an outboard engine and carrying 36 passengers, was traveling from Muchora Abino A village to Kiryanga landing site in Acii Sub-county, Amolatar District.
Onboard were mourners escorting local catechist Alfred Oduno to the burial of his sister, Joyce Abuni.
According to police, the boat struck a submerged tree stump around 11:00am causing it to tip over and sink.
The tree remnants, hidden just below the lake’s surface due to rising water levels, tore into the vessel, plunging passengers into the waters of Kyoga.
Among the seven confirmed dead are four women and three men, including a local leader. They have been identified as:
Odeke Steven, 65, LC1 Chairperson of Muchora Abino A village, Aguti Catherine, 55, from Dokolo District
Abonyo Sylvia, 35, from Soroti, Ogwal Jaspher, 38, of Corner Bileo-Amolatar,
Ejang Robina, 30, from Epel ward, Amolatar Town Council, Agwech Semmy, 20, of Etam Sub-county, and one unidentified male victim.
Emergency teams from the Amolatar Police and the Zengebe Marine Unit, led by AIP Ibanda Alamanzani, responded swiftly to the scene, alongside homicide detectives and Scene of Crime Officers.
The bodies were retrieved and transported to Amolatar Health Centre IV for postmortem examinations, while 29 survivors were rescued from the lake.
Preliminary investigations indicate the boat was overloaded, and none of the passengers were reported to be wearing life jackets. Police have launched an inquiry into the incident and are urging communities living around Lake Kyoga to prioritize water safety by avoiding overcrowding vessels and using life-saving gear.
This tragedy adds to the growing concerns over marine safety on Uganda’s inland waters, especially during community events such as funerals, where transport boats are often used without proper regulation or equipment.
