The Headteacher of Musamba Primary School in Rubaya Sub-county, Ndorwa West County, Kabale District, has drowned in Lake Bunyonyi.
The deceased has been identified as Johnson Tumukunde Spensor, 45, who reportedly drowned after the canoe he was travelling in capsized on Sunday morning. Another victim, Rebecca Ndamwesiga, 21, was rescued by residents and is currently receiving treatment at Kyevu Health Centre II.
The incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m. shortly after the canoe departed from Kyevu landing site.
According to Dickson Kamuhanda, the Nyombe Parish Male Councillor in Kahungye Sub-county, the two were crossing from Kyevu Village in Butanda Sub-county to Bugo Village in Musamba Parish, Rubaya Sub-county, when the canoe overturned.
Kamuhanda said Ndamwesiga had volunteered to transport Tumukunde after he failed to secure another boat to cross the lake. He added that residents immediately mounted a rescue operation, managing to save Ndamwesiga, while efforts to retrieve Tumukunde’s body continued.
CUE IN KAMUHANDA….ON DROWNING….RR//
Kabale District Communications Officer Alex Byakatonda confirmed the incident, saying the deceased was reportedly crossing the lake to attend a Sunday School thanksgiving ceremony when the tragedy occurred.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime, cautioned people using small boats on Lake Bunyonyi to always wear life jackets and avoid overloading the vessels.
He also urged boat owners to replace canoes and boats that are in poor mechanical condition to prevent further accidents.
