By Simon Peter Egwoku.
A somber mood engulfed Ogera Village in Ogera Parish, Kasilo County, Serere District on Sunday, 11 January 2026, as residents gathered to lay to rest three fishermen who drowned while fishing on Lake Kyoga.
The tragic deaths left the entire Ogera Parish in deep grief, with mourners shedding tears as they trekked across villages to attend the burials.
Residents were seen consoling the bereaved families as funeral processions met along the roads leading to the burial sites.
The deceased were identified as Daniel Akuman, Moses Ocen, and Emmanuel Oboi, all residents of Omongolem and Kabola villages in Ogera Parish.
According to John Francis Erimait, the LC1 Chairperson of Kabula Village, the three fishermen drowned on Friday at Owii–Amatapalin Bugondo landing site on Lake Kyoga, where they had gone fishing.
Erimait explained that the deceased were using a single small boat, which capsized after strong winds blew across the lake, turning the vessel upside down.
The LC2 Chairperson of Ogera Parish, George Stephen Ebunyu, condemned the continued use of small and unsafe boats, which he described as a major cause of frequent drowning incidents on Lake Kyoga.
Ebunyu urged fishermen to adhere to government rules and regulations aimed at safeguarding their lives, including the use of standard boats, legal fishing gear, and life-saving equipment.
He described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that poverty and lack of access to proper fishing equipment force many fishermen to use unsafe boats.
Meanwhile, grieving residents and fellow fishermen expressed frustration, calling on the government to support fishermen through affordable loans and cooperative schemes to help improve their livelihoods.
They noted that fishing remains the main economic activity in Serere District, and worsening economic hardship has pushed many fishermen to take dangerous risks on the lake.
“If the government can help us with loans or cooperative support, we can buy bigger boats and life jackets. We don’t want to die on the lake,” one resident said.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) LC5 flag bearer for Serere District, Eng. Martin Onguruco, who attended the three burials, also appealed to fishermen operating on Lake Kyoga to value their lives and abandon the use of small and illegal boats.
Eng. Onguruco expressed deep concern over the rising number of deaths on the lake, attributing them to unsafe fishing vessels, poor weather preparedness, and lack of safety equipment.
“Fishing is a source of livelihood, but life is more important. I strongly urge our fishermen to stop using small, illegal boats that put their lives at risk. These deaths are preventable,” Onguruco said.
He further called on the government to support fishermen with affordable loans and subsidies, enabling them to acquire standard boats, life jackets, and modern fishing equipment.
“We cannot only blame the fishermen. Many want to use safer boats but cannot afford them. Government support will help save lives and improve incomes,” he added.
Eng. Onguruco also urged fishermen to regularly check weather conditions, avoid fishing during strong winds especially at night and always wear life jackets while on the lake.
