A teenager has drowned in Acha Stream, a tributary to the River Nile in Madi Okollo district while on a fishing expedition. The deceased, who has only been identified as Gerald, is a resident of Ewanani village, Gbulukuatuni parish in Rhino camp sub-county.
Preliminary reports indicate that Gerald met his death at around 2 p.m. on Monday. It is alleged that Gerald went on a fishing expedition together with five unidentified fishermen on the fateful day. He drowned while attempting to cross the flooded stream after being swept by the strong waves.
Gabriel Andima, the LC 3 chairperson of Rhino camp sub county told Uganda Radio Network that although the other fishermen attempted to stop Gerald from crossing the flooded stream he disregarded the advice, hence leading to his death. According to Andima, attempts by the other fishermen to rescue Gerald were futile saying his body had already been swept away by the flooded stream.
Geoffrey Arima, a resident of Ewanani village, Gbulukuatuni Parish Rhino camp sub county explains that local divers and fishermen are still struggling to relocate the body of the deceased since the water levels are still high. He further appeals to the police to join the fishermen in search of the body.
“Since Monday we have been searching for the body of Gerald but all in vain. We have searched everywhere but all in vain,” Arima said. When conducted, Morish Niyonzima, the Madi Okollo police commander said the matter is yet to be reported by the relatives.
During the months of September to December, fishing activities in Madi Okollo attract a high number of teenagers as well as children since it’s a season for catching catfish, a local delicacy in the area.
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