By Edward Byamukama
President Yoweri Museveni has contributed Shs5million as condolences for each of the River Nguse flooding Victim in Kagadi district.
The money was today delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at Kyaleni cell in Paacwa town council Kagadi district.
The boat accident occurred on Tuesday night at around 8 p.m. in Kyaleni cell, Pacwa town Council in Kagadi district.
The victims had been returning home from charcoal-burning activities in Bugoma Forest and were transporting several bags of charcoal.
The latest recovery report confirmed by marine police indicates that the boat was carrying 39 people, 30 have been confirmed dead, eight bodies recovered so far and 11 are survivors of the tragic incident.
Commissioner of Police Sulaiman Kirungi, the commander of Marine Police in Uganda has confirmed the latest recovery and said search teams remain hopeful of finding more bodies.
Handing over the condolence fund, Prime Minister Nabbanja said each of the families will receive Shs5million for every victim as condolences, and to help in burial arrangements, totalling Shs150million.
On her behalf, the prime minister motivated the rescue teams with 5M Shillings.
Nabbanja describes the occurrence as regrettable, but says it is partly caused by failure of people to take president Museven’s advice on the issue of protecting the environment.
The prime minister has issued an immediate, high-level directive to halt all illegal activities, including charcoal burning and encroachment, in the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
Nabbanja says the president has directed that Bugoma forest be elevated to a game park and place it under the protection of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The Kagadi RDC Caroline Nanshemeza thanked government for supporting the affected families but also urged residents to stop encroaching on forests and wetlands.
