18 people have drowned in Lake Albert, after the canoe they were sailing in capsized early this morning.
Jamada Wandera, the Kibaale district police commander, says that the canoe was hit by strong winds near Nguse fishing village in Mpeefu Sub-County in Kibaale district.
Charles Kisembo, the assistant fisheries officer, explains that a canoe was carrying 27 fishermen most of who were returning from business. Only nine people have survived.
Silas Semada, one of the survivors says that the canoe was too overloaded with both fish and passengers. He described it as absurd because most of the fishermen had spent a night in the waters searching for fish only to die before they could reap the fruits of their labour.
The dead include Christopher Kaija, the beach management unit Chairman (BMU) for Nguse landing site, Kijambia Baguma, Kagoro, Kalema and Yasoni all residents of Nguse landing site in Kibaale district.
The survivors are Silas Semada, Nathan Kyalimpa, Kyirikumutima, Machati Kaben and Muzamiru.
Police have dispatched a rescue team to retrieve the bodies.
