RUBANDA — A 45-year-old teacher has died after a canoe capsized on Lake Bunyonyi in Rubanda District, while a 19-year-old woman was rescued alive.
The deceased has been identified as Tumukunde John, a teacher and resident of Butebe Village, Nyamilyango Parish in Rubanda District. The survivor has only been identified as Rebecca, 19.
According to Police, Tumukunde John and Rebecca set off early Sunday morning in a small canoe to attend a church service across the lake. However, the canoe reportedly capsized, causing Tumukunde to drown while Rebecca was rescued by local residents with the help of the Marine Police.
According to Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime, Marine Police in Rubanda District, together with local residents, responded to the incident and recovered the victim’s body. Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing.
Following the incident, Police urged all water transport users to prioritize safety by wearing life jackets whenever using small boats or canoes. They also cautioned against overloading vessels and advised owners to replace old or damaged canoes to reduce the risk of accidents.
