Four People Missing As Boat Capsizes On River Rwizi Lifestyle Mbarara, Uganda
Mat Lee
The search is on for four people who went missing after a canoe carrying them capsized while crossing River Rwizi in Mbarara City. The incident occurred on Monday evening, and it is alleged that the canoe was hit by water waves, causing it to capsize.
The missing persons include Rukundo Amutuhaire, a 19-year-old student, Timothy Kakuru, a 23-year-old medical lab student, Lozio alias Rastaman, who was the owner of the canoe, and an unidentified person. Willy Musa, a 33-year-old resident of Nyakaizi, is the only survivor.
According to Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi regional Police Spokesperson, the police rescue team, and local divers are searching for the missing persons with hopes of finding them as they maintain the deployment along the river. However, he warns people against using a canoe on the river as water levels remain high.
Twaha Shohore, the Chairperson LC 1 Kyampotani Cell, confirms the missing of four people and faults the encroachment of people on the river banks and the carelessness of the leaders allowing the use of the canoe on the flooded river.
James Mubari, one of the rescuers, narrates that the argument involving a bet of 7000 shillings led to the first person going missing on Sunday evening after arguing with friends while at the Kitebero Taso Village Bridge that he can swim while the other three went missing yesterday after the canoe they were using was hit by a wave of water.
He adds that people falling into the river is common every time the waters increase, noting that more than ten people have died in the river in the last six months, and it usually takes three days to recover the bodies.
Asse Abireeba, the Mbarara City Clerk, says that the bridges were either washed away or destroyed by the rains, and the council has submitted a challenge to the Ministry of Works to come to their rescue and construct the bridge.
The city council has submitted three bridges, Kanyeite, Katete, and Kitebero Taso Bridge, which need construction along the River Rwizi, and these need a budget of 163 Billion, which the city can't afford.
