By KT Reporter
Seven people have died after a boat carrying mourners capsized on Lake Kyoga in Amolatar District on Friday. Some of the victims died on the spot, while three others succumbed to injuries at Amolatar Health Centre IV (HCIV), where they had been rushed for treatment.
The ill-fated boat, carrying 36 passengers, was travelling from Ochora Landing Site to Pig Aweno Village in Kiryanga Parish, Acii Sub-County, for a burial. Eyewitnesses say it struck a submerged log, split apart, and flipped violently, hurling passengers into the water.
Authorities have so far identified the deceased as Steven Odeke, the LC I chairperson of Muchora Abino A Village in Amolatar District; Catherine Aguti, a resident of Okwalongen Sub-County in Dokolo District; Sylvia Abonyo, a resident of Amuda Village in Soroti District; Jasper Ogwal, a resident of Corner Bileo Trading Centre in Arwotcek Sub-County, Amolatar District; Robinah Ejang, a resident of Alemere Bung Cell in Epel Ward, Amolatar Town Council; and Semmy Agwech, a resident of Etam Sub-County in Amolatar District. One other victim is an unidentified man.
Sandra Amuge, who is still hospitalised, described the harrowing moments after impact. “The boat split in half, and one side landed upside down on the log, throwing everyone into the lake,” she said, crediting her husband with saving her life.
Amuge’s husband and their three-year-old daughter also survived and are receiving care at Amolatar HCIV.
Another survivor, Vicky Acen, said some bystanders hesitated to help, fearing the rescuers were Fisheries Protection Unit officers. “That delay cost many lives, including that of a pregnant woman,” Acen recounted.
Ayena Godfrey, the LCIII chairperson of Namsale Town Council, said many mourners abandoned plans to proceed to the burial and instead joined efforts to recover bodies. By press time, eight bodies had been retrieved and taken to the Amolatar HCIV mortuary.
Police had not yet issued an official statement, but ambulances and local responders continued recovery operations as authorities worked to establish the final death toll and the cause of the accident.
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