KAGADI, Uganda — Police in Kagadi District are investigating a tragic boating accident after a canoe carrying an estimated 35 to 40 passengers capsized on River Nguse on Tuesday night.
The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. on April 28, 2026, at Kyaleni Village in Pachwa Town Council, according to the Uganda Police Force.
Police said they responded immediately to the scene, with one survivor so far identified as Byaruhanga Tumuhaise, 27, a resident of Kyaleni.
Authorities noted that the exact number of passengers on board and those missing remains unclear due to the absence of a passenger manifest.
Marine Police have since launched search and rescue operations as efforts continue to locate possible survivors and recover bodies. An inquiry into the cause of the accident is also underway.
Preliminary assessments point to several possible contributing factors, including overloading, traveling at night, and the condition of the vessel.
Police have urged relatives of individuals who may have been aboard the canoe to report to Kagadi Central Police Station to assist with identification and accountability.
Further updates are expected as rescue efforts continue.
