By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
BUYENDE
Police in Buyende District are investigating circumstances surrounding the drowning of two fishermen following a boat accident on Lake Kyoga in Walumbe Village, Itamia Ward, Kidera Town Council.
The incident occurred on 11th May 2026 at about 5:00 PM when the deceased, identified as Osina Simon alias Ali, 22 and Kirya Peter alias Hamuza, 20, were reportedly fishing using an illegal boat on a branch of Lake Kyoga. Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds allegedly overpowered the boat, causing it to capsize and the two fishermen to drown.
Samson K Lubega, the Busoga North police spokesperson said another juvenile fisherman who was separately operating an illegal boat in the same area also experienced a boat capsize during the storm.
However, he managed to swim to safety and later informed relatives of the deceased persons, who subsequently reported the matter to Kidera Police Station on 12th May 2026.
The bodies of the deceased were later retrieved with the help of police and community members and conveyed to Kidera Health Centre IV mortuary pending postmortem examination.
The police caution members of the public, particularly fishermen and lake users, against using illegal or unsafe boats, especially during adverse weather conditions, as this exposes lives to serious danger.
