BY DANIEL OJARA

KIRYANDONGO: At least nine people are feared dead in River Nile.

They drowned when the canoe they were using to cross over from Apac to Masindi through Masindi port in Kiryandongo capsized on Monday afternoon.

The deceased are all casual workers of Maruzi palm oil in the Apac district and were seeking new job opportunities in the Masindi district due to nonpayment at their previous workplace.

The police have identified the victims as, Lokuwam Joseph (19), Lucumwa Simon (35), Lonta Joseph (19), Kamur Nohma (21), Lomuria John (15), and Lotham Simon (30).

The others are; Ngole Simon, Lemukol Simon (18), and Lotyang Peter (19).

Four people who survived the water accident are Muleka Bosco and Byekwaso Godfrey, who were riding the boat when it capsized, and passengers Locire Simon and Lukwampe Peter.

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the north Kyoga Police Spokesperson confirmed the incident saying that a case of drowning is being investigated.

This is the third water accident that has been reported this month. Last week two boat accidents occurred on Lake Victoria and police attributed the accidents to overloading and bad weather conditions. The two accidents left some people dead and others were rescued.