14 May 2025 · Radio Pacis Newsroom
By Chris WooOyam Authorities in Oyam District have introduced several measures to tackle the increasing number of water accidents on the River Nile. This comes in response to a tragic incident last week when a boat carrying six passengers capsized, claiming th
By Chris Woo
Oyam
Authorities in Oyam District have introduced several measures to tackle the increasing number of water accidents on the River Nile.
This comes in response to a tragic incident last week when a boat carrying six passengers capsized, claiming the lives of two women. The remaining four passengers are currently receiving treatment at various health facilities.
While addressing the press from his office, Shilaku James, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Oyam, issued directives that all passengers must wear life jackets and that boats must maintain passenger manifests with detailed information on each traveler. These measures aim to reduce water accidents in Northern Uganda.
In addition to life jackets and passenger manifests, Shilaku emphasized plans to engage relevant ministries to ensure the gazetting of landing sites and the registration of all boats operating on the river.
Meanwhile, Oyam District Speaker, Nomi Otyeno, highlighted several factors contributing to the increase in water accidents. One key factor, he noted, is the construction of the Karuma Hydro Electric Power Dam, which occasionally releases overwhelming volumes of water, leading to dangerous conditions in the river.
Otyeno urged the government and other stakeholders to conduct widespread community sensitization on water safety measures.
Otyeno also revealed that over 70 people have lost their lives in the River Nile since the construction of the Karuma Hydro Power Station began. He attributed this to the failure of Sino Hydro Company to build a man-made dam, a project they had initially promised would help reduce fishing activity in the river and mitigate accidents.
Similarly, Alfred Ocen, the LC1 Chairperson of Te-nam Cell in Kamdini Town Council, pointed to passenger overloading in small boats as a major contributor to water accidents. He called on local leaders to enforce strict regulations to curb this practice.
