Three Dead in Tragic Drowning Incident at River Rushaya, Rukungiri District

Tragedy struck the River Rushaya Kagorogoro village, Bwambara parish, Bwambara sub county Rukungiri district on 29/04/2023, where three people lost their lives due to drowning. The incident occurred at approximately 7:00 am when a group of people were brewing local ‘waragi’ on the river bank, a popular activity in the area.

The deceased included Ngabirano Edson, a 30-year-old resident of Kagorogoro village who worked as a casual labourer, and Kyabasasi Bonny, a 64-year-old peasant who lived in the same village. The body of a third victim, identified only as Kabare, is still missing.

According to ASP Maate Elly the PRO Kigezi, the District CID Rukungiri, SOCO, and the police team responded to the incident and found that the river flooded beyond its banks due to heavy rainfall, causing the water to reach the people’s plantations and gardens approximately 50 meters from the original flow path known by locals.

As the floods increased in speed and volume, the victims attempted to cross the water to safety. Unfortunately, only seven of the ten people managed to escape. The police have identified the surviving victims as Birungi Arthur alias Kasingye Maria, Ahereza Brian, Turyasingura, Tibamwenda, Bukoko, Boy, and Kadungunyu.

Maate says that the police team retrieved the bodies of Ngabirano Edson and Kyabasasi Bonny, which were identified with the help of the locals and handed over to their families for burial.

Efforts to find the missing body of Kabare are currently underway. He urged the public to exercise caution and avoid engaging in activities near flooded rivers and other water bodies during the rainy season.