OBONGI: Drowned policeman’s body recovered as rescuers survive boat accident

OBONGI, UGANDA: The body of the policeman who drowned in River Nile over the weekend has finally been recovered and handed over for postmortem, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Obongi District Mr Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka revealed on Monday afternoon.

Mr Hashaka said Justin Rubangakene’s body was found at the spot where the first search team survived a boat accident on Sunday evening.

“The body was found towards Adjumani. It has not been easy because the relatives of the deceased were putting us under pressure,” RDC Hashaka said.

According to the RDC, the rescuers said their boat capsized after they encountered heavy rain and wind in the middle of the river but the team of three experts managed to retrieve the 15 people safely with only a few having minor injuries.

“All of them are alive though some sustained injuries after the boat capsized. The capsizing has been attributed to heavy wind and overloading of the motorboat,” Hashaka said.

He added that the rescue team was bogged down by the lack of fuel in the Marine Ambulance but with the efforts of the locals and leaders, they managed to sail towards the landing site of Adjumani, where they recovered the body.

Hashaka applauded the leaders of Obongi for the quick response they made in time to rescue the three people who are now out of danger.

Justin Rubangakene, a police officer who was deployed to guard the Obongi ferry in Ondongi district allegedly jumped into River Nile on Friday night in an act of alleged suicide.

On Saturday, police confirmed arresting his colleague identified as Azabo who was deployed to guard the Obongi ferry alongside the deceased to aid in investigations.

By Press time, the body of the deceased policeman had been taken to Obongi Health Center IV for a postmortem and autopsy report to establish what exactly killed him.

“We shall make arrangements to transport the body to Gulu for burial,” Hashaka said.