More than 30 people are feared dead after a boat they were travelling in capsized on River Nguse in Kagadi District on Wednesday night at around 8:00 pm.
The victims, all residents of Kyareeni Cell, Kamata Ward in Pacwa Town Council, were reportedly returning home from Bugoma Forest, where they had been engaged in charcoal burning, when the accident occurred.
By press time, dozens of people were still missing as search and rescue operations continued along the river, which separates Kagadi and Kikuube districts.
Residents said the boat was heavily loaded with passengers and sacks of charcoal when it overturned.
Emergency response teams, including Marine Police, had by Thursday afternoon joined the search efforts. Hundreds of residents and relatives of the missing persons gathered at the riverbank as the operation continued.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that about eight people survived the accident after managing to swim to safety.
Mary Mugisa, the LC1 Chairperson of Kyareeni Cell, said her son is among those still missing.
She added that one of the survivors confirmed only eight people managed to escape, mainly those who were able to swim.
Justus Businge, the LC3 Chairperson of Pacwa Town Council, described the incident as a recurring tragedy, noting that residents had previously been warned about safety risks when crossing the river.
Authorities have urged continued caution as search operations intensify to establish the exact number of casualties and survivors.
