Almost a week after five people including two toddlers drowned in Lake Bunyonyi in Rubanda district, three more dead bodies have been found.
Yesterday evening at about 7pm, the body of Agnes Turyasingura surfaced while the corpse of her nine months old son, Jacob Nuwahereza was seen today morning at around 7am. The two bodies were buried today.
Present as chief mourner during the agonizing burial on Monday afternoon was the District Chairperson for Rubanda, Mr Jogo Kenneth.
The Regional Police Commander for Kigezi, ACP Ecega Richard, the DPC for Rubanda, ASP Tai Ramathan and many other officials also attended the burial.
The deceased, five in total drowned in Lake Bunyonyi last month on June 26 and all died. They were using a local boat from Hamukaka landing village crossing to Karambo village where they always cultivated, when heavy winds blew them forcing their boat to capsize.
They were 29-year-old Agnes Turyasingura, 21-year-old Patience Akampurira and their children aged 9 months and 8 months. Another girl identified as Macklin Tumuhekyi, 20, also died in the calamity.
On the fateful day, one of the bodies of the kids surfaced and was buried immediately.
Another girl (Patience Akampurira) has been recovered on Monday evening at around 4pm at Hamukaka on lake Bunyonyi. Her burial is scheduled for tomorrow, according to Elly Matte, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson
Police say that now, only one body remains to be found.
“It is very unfortunate. We feel bad that we have lost people under such circumstances. I continue to caution our people to use protective gear once on the water, than taking things for granted,” Elly Matte, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson said in a statement.
Mr Tumuhereze Alexander, the LC 1 Chairperson for Karambo village where some of the deceased persons were residents appealed to government to avail life jackets that can safeguard locals while they cross the lake.
“In our view, what would be of great help here on Lake Bunyonyi, I suggest that we work together with government to get life jackets. When somebody is wearing a life jacket, they can not drown in case of an accident,” Tumuhereze said.
The views of Mr Nkunda Fred, the village Chairperson for Hamukaka were similar to those of Tumuhereze.
