12 Fishermen Drown Near Karuma Dam in Two Years Amid Safety Concerns

Tragedy has struck the fishing communities around the Karuma Hydropower Plant, with local leaders reporting that at least 12 fishermen have lost their lives in the past two years. These incidents have occurred both upstream and downstream of the dam in Kiryandongo and Oyam districts.

Patrick Ojok, deputy chairperson of Kamdini Sub-county, highlighted that strong currents, unpredictable weather, and dangerous fishing methods, including venturing too close to the dam’s spillway gates, are major contributing factors to these drownings. Compounding the issue is a significant lack of protective gear. “We continuously advise fishermen to leave the water during bad weather and to avoid fishing near the dam gates because the risks are enormous,” Ojok stated.

In response to the escalating fatalities, the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), the plant operator, has initiated a safety program. Last week, over 80 fishermen were provided with life jackets in an effort to reduce drowning incidents and enhance safety on the River Nile. Leaders have welcomed this intervention, expressing optimism that the life jackets will improve survival rates.

Despite regulations requiring fishermen to stay at least 250 meters from the spillway gates, some are reported to fish as close as 150 meters, drawn by the abundance of aquatic life near the dam. However, the risk is immense, as water flow can change abruptly based on electricity generation needs. Bonny Arwata, a fisherman, noted the difficulty in rescue and recovery efforts without adequate safety equipment, emphasizing that life jackets could increase chances of survival.

UEGCL corporate affairs manager Enock Kusasira stated the company has a responsibility to support the communities that rely on the Nile for their livelihoods. “We are trying to make fishing safer because local authorities have informed us that several people lose their lives here every year while engaging in unsafe fishing practices,” he said, urging fishermen to heed warning signals and instructions from dam personnel. The company aims for every fisherman operating near the dam to be equipped with a life jacket.

This information is based on reporting from Daily Monitor.