Bugesera–At least five people died when the boat they were travelling in capsized in Lake Chohoha in Bugesera District yesterday. One survived.According to the authorities, the boat, which was said to have been filled to capacity at the time, was carrying smuggled goods from Kirundo Province in neighbouring Burundi.The victims were identified as Vedaste Niyonsenga, 33, Shabani Ntibitangira, 27, Jean Bosco Hagabimana, 30, Jean Musabyimana, 33 and Emmanuel Ntawukuriryayo, 23. The sole survivor of the accident is believed to have swum to safety in the lake’s shore. Relatives of the deceased were in tears as the bodies of their beloved ones were retrieved from the lake.The Mayor of Bugesera District, Louis Rwagaju, used the occasion to warn residents against using the lake at night particularly to run contraband. “As we mourn the dead, we should remember our role in these tragedies. Why do you continue overloading smuggled goods in your deadly boats?”“The boat was travelling at night carrying smugglers, bicycles and cratefuls of Amstel beer.. It was at 2.30 AM and no rescue efforts could be easily made,” he lamented.Police spokesman Superintendent, Theos Badege, confirmed the accident saying that investigations were ongoing.He said that there was need for transporters to adhere to safety precautions in water bodies, especially when ferrying people and goods. “Substandard boats, overloading, lack of life jackets, poor fishing methods, and so on, remain a big challenge. Investigations will give the full account of the accident,” he said.
