Following the tragic death of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) engineer Gershom Rwakasanga on Saturday evening, operations at the Busowoko Falls have been temporarily=y suspended.
In a public advisory released on Sunday by the Jinja Tour Guides Association (JITOGA) PRO, Kevin Amanya noted that the decision was reached by the Resident Commissioners Offices (RDC) to allow a safety review and compliance inspection by the relevant authorities.
“Following the official communication from the Office of the RDC, all recreational and operational activities at Busowoko Falls have been temporarily suspended to allow for a comprehensive safety review and compliance inspection by the relevant authorities, including NEMA, the Marine Police, and the District Security Committee” he said.
Amanya reassured the public and wider tourism fraternity that the suspension is a temporary and safety driven intervention, not a closure of the destination before it could be reopened for the public.
“Busowoko Falls remains one of Jinja’s most treasured natural attractions, and we are confident that once all safety protocols and environmental compliance measures are fully instituted, the site will resume operations with improved standards and enhanced visitor protection” he said.
The Committee, led by the RDC alongside the Uganda Police Force (marine, CID section), NEMA, and others, will review all recreational sites along the River Nile to ensure full compliance with safety and environmental standards.
“…We are deeply saddened by the loss of Engineer Rwakasanga, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones…,” said Kasibante Hassan, Deputy Resident District Commissioner (Deputy RDC) for Jinja District
On Saturday evening, social media was awash with the tragic news of the drowning of Eng. Gershom Rwakasanga who was a manager Terminals and Operations based in Jinja, after he accidentally fell into the River.
Rwakasanga’s death who was in the company of his daughter was announced by UNOC.
“UNOC would like to inform the general public and all our stakeholders that one of our staff, Eng. Gershom Rwakasanga, Manager Terminals and Operations based in Jinja, while at Busowoko falls in Jinja, accidentally fell into the River. This regretable incident occurred on the 11th of October” the statement read.
Rwakasanga’s body was recovered from the River Nile on Sunday at Nabukosi, several kilometres downstream from Busowoko Falls after intensive search efforts by local divers and security personnel,
The incident has raised serious concerns about safety measures at Busowoko Falls, which allegedly operates without an approved operational permit from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
