25 feared dead in Uganda boat collision

KAMPALA (AFP) — Up to 25 people were feared dead two days after a small ferry sank in Lake Victoria, Ugandan police said Tuesday.

The police's marine unit said it had so far recovered the bodies of three men and a woman but added it feared the death toll would rise to 25, as search and rescue operations continued.

"The boat was carrying traders from Lubya to Iyolwe to attend a market on Lwamaka island when it got involved in an accident between Rufu and Kilewe islands," police spokesman Gabriel Tibayungwa told AFP.

The boat collided with a ship carrying containers at around 2100 GMT on Sunday, Tibayungwa said.

"It was estimated there were around 40 people on board. Sixteen managed to swim away... but 25 are believed dead," he said, adding the feared death toll would make the collision one of Uganda's deadliest ever boat accidents.