The Uganda Police through deputy spokesperson SSP Nandawula Diana,have confirmed the death of ten people following an accident on River Nguse involving a canoe that was heading to Kagadi from kikuube district.
”On 28th April 2026,a canoe carrying an estimated 39 people capsized on River Nguse at 0830hrs”.Nandawula said.
The deputy spokesperson of Uganda Police SSP Nandawula Diana,has confirmed that a canoe carrying an estimated 39 people capsized on River Nguse at 0830hrs.” These 39 people were traveling from Bugoma forest in kikuube district side heading to Kagadi and in the process of traveling,this canoe capsized and a team of police marine divers assisted by the UPDF and the local residents rushed to the scene and they are still there”.Nandawula stated .
”At the moment, we have confirmed that 15 people survived,10 bodies recovered and others are believed to have drowned and operations are still ongoing to make sure that all people who could have drowned are removed from.the water”.Nandawula added.
Nandawula attributed the accident to overloading the canoe which is said to have had a capacity of 15 people but had close to 40 people on board which turned out to be a disaster in waiting.
The Annual police crime report of 2025,indicates that the uganda police force marine unit registered a total of 128 incidents last year, indicating a 32.6% decrease compared to 190 in 2024,176 in 2023 and 226 in 2022.
According to the same report, Drowning remained the leading registered incident with 81 incidents followed by robbery with 21 and murder with 04.
The Police appealed to water transport users to avoid traveling at night and abide by the water transport safety precautions like the use of life jackets.
