A quiet evening in Kagadi District turned into a scene of panic and uncertainty after a canoe carrying dozens of passengers capsized on River Nguse, leaving many feared missing.
The incident occurred at around 8:30pm on April 28, 2026, near Kyaleni Village in Pachwa Town Council.
According to police, the vessel was believed to be carrying between 35 and 40 people at the time of the incident though the exact number remains unclear due to the absence of a passenger manifest.
Emergency responders moved swiftly to the scene, with Marine Police launching search and rescue operations in the dark waters of the river.
By Wednesday morning, only one survivor had been positively identified as 27-year-old Byaruhanga Tumuhaise, a resident of Kyaleni, who is now assisting authorities.
Families in the area are anxiously waiting for news as uncertainty surrounds the fate of those who were on board. Authorities say the lack of records has made it difficult to determine how many people are still unaccounted for.
Preliminary investigations suggest several possible causes including overloading of the canoe, poor visibility due to night travel, and concerns about the vessel’s condition.
Officials say a full inquiry is underway to establish what led to the capsizing.
Police are urging anyone with relatives who may have been aboard the canoe to report to Kagadi Central Police Station as efforts continue to identify victims and locate survivors.
