KAMPALA - An overloaded boat capsized on the Ugandan side of Lake Albert overnight, killing at least 33 people, in the second such disaster to strike the country in two weeks, police said yesterday.
The boat capsized on Lake Albert, Africa's seventh largest lake, which lies in northwestern Uganda and straddles the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Regional police commissioner Marcelino Wanithu said: "The survivors are 17. We are receiving reports that 33 people drowned. We believe there could have been more than 50 on board, plus luggage."
Deputy national police spokesperson Vincent Ssekate said five bodies were recovered, but Wanithu stressed that, based on past experience, death tolls become clearer after a few days when bodies float back to the surface.
"So far we have 17 survivors, while five bodies have been recovered. Of course, the search is continuing."
Ssekate said the vessel was carrying local traders attempting to bring their goods from Hoima district at the southern end of Lake Albert, to Nebbi district at the lake's northern tip.
33 die as boat sinks
KAMPALA - An overloaded boat capsized on the Ugandan side of Lake Albert overnight, killing at least 33 people, in the second such disaster to strike the country in two weeks, police said yesterday.
The boat capsized on Lake Albert, Africa's seventh largest lake, which lies in northwestern Uganda and straddles the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Regional police commissioner Marcelino Wanithu said: "The survivors are 17. We are receiving reports that 33 people drowned. We believe there could have been more than 50 on board, plus luggage."
Deputy national police spokesperson Vincent Ssekate said five bodies were recovered, but Wanithu stressed that, based on past experience, death tolls become clearer after a few days when bodies float back to the surface.
"So far we have 17 survivors, while five bodies have been recovered. Of course, the search is continuing."
Ssekate said the vessel was carrying local traders attempting to bring their goods from Hoima district at the southern end of Lake Albert, to Nebbi district at the lake's northern tip.
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