Police Name UNRA Engineer Killed in Pakwach Flooding Rescue

Authorities have identified the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) marine engineer who tragically lost his life during a rescue operation in the flooded Tangi River on the Olwiyo–Pakwach road, Nwoya District.

The deceased, Yahaya Hussan, 45, was a UNRA staff member stationed in Pakwach.

The fatal incident occurred on the afternoon of November 27, following heavy rains that caused severe flooding, leaving sections of the road submerged.

A commuter taxi, registration number UBH 418W, travelling from Arua to Lira, became stranded midstream with passengers on board.

“Preliminarily narrative of information by the eye witnesses indicates that a reckless driver, Mohammed Okello, attached to Elite Transporters Company, while from Arua side heading to Lira with 12 passengers, braved to cross the already high-levelled fast-flowing river and ended up getting stuck in the middle of the waters with all the passengers therein,” said Aswa West Region Police spokesperson David Mudong Ongom.

SSP Richard Anyama, the Nwoya District Police Commander, explained that the Police were alerted to the crisis by SSP Samuel Asiimwe, the Regional Police Commander of Aswa.

UNRA officials, police officers, and a UPDF Marine Unit quickly mobilised to rescue the stranded passengers.

However, tragedy struck when the rescue boat provided by UNRA capsized due to the river’s strong currents and high water levels.

“Unfortunately, the boat carrying UNRA personnel capsized, leading to the death of Yahaya Hussan, the marine engineer,” SSP Anyama confirmed.

Hussan, a key member of the rescue team, became trapped under the overturned boat and succumbed before he could be reached.

“It’s alleged that the engineer was trapped beneath the boat. His body was discovered later during the search. The rest of the personnel aboard were saved by a UPDF marine team,” Anyama added.

Despite the loss, the operation successfully rescued 12 passengers from the submerged taxi. Those saved included Comfort Badaru, Modesta Apio, Jasper Ogwang, the taxi driver Mohammed Okello, and others, who were rushed to Anaka General Hospital for treatment.

Police have since arrested the commuter taxi driver and opened a case under Nwoya SD REF 34/27/11/2024 to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

ASP Ongom said detectives have so far recorded statements from relevant witnesses and also pending statement recording from the rescued passengers upon recovery and discharge as part of investigations.

The body of the deceased UNRA engineer was taken to Pakwach Health Centre IV for a postmortem.

Authorities have urged motorists to avoid crossing flooded roads and instead use alternative routes, such as the Paraa–Kisanja Park Junction road and the Masindi Port ferry.

This incident highlights the dangers posed by flooding during Uganda’s rainy season and the immense risks undertaken by rescue teams to save lives.

The UNRA engineers later made an assessment of the road and they found out that it was badly damaged and requires repair.

“Their recommendations temporarily bans all sorts of motorists from using the road from either sides except of pedestrians,” Ongom said.

“We urge the members of the public to adhere to the above precautionary measure to mitigate such incidences from escalating which is a serious danger to lives and public safety.”

Those rescued