At least 18 people are feared dead after their boat capsized on Lake Albert on Wednesday. Police said the boat, which was in dangerous mechanical condition, capsized due to over loading and over speeding.

Kibaale District OC CID Michael Ogwal confirmed the accident occurred at Nguse landing site in Kibaale District at about 5 pm. The District Police Commander, Mr Jamada Wandera, said the accident occurred as the fishermen returned from fishing and were heading back to their landing site in Nguse.

By press time, police said they had not found any survivors. "We have so far recovered 12 bodies and the search is ongoing for the remaining six bodies," Mr Wandera said. A UPDF Marine boat is being used by police and Red Cross officials to trace for the survivors.

The last reported major accident on Lake Albert occurred in December 2004 when a boat carrying dozens of traders across Lake Albert capsized, killing at least 22 people. In February of the same year, a boat overloaded with passengers and cargo capsized in stormy weather on the lake and more than 40 people drowned. Meanwhile, Fisheries State minister Fred Mukisa has directed fishermen on Lake Albert to stop using illegal fishing methods.

Mr Mukisa, who has so far spent two days inspecting fishing activities on landing sites in Hoima and Buliisa districts, said the government is committed to preserving fish for the next generations.

"Let us sustainably use these lakes," he said while addressing fishermen at Wanseko landing site on Wednesday. Mr Mukisa and his technical team from the fisheries ministry have also visited Buhuka, Buseruka, Hoima, Butyaba, Wanseko, Songalendu and Hohwa landing sites. The Minister said his office had received numerous reports indicating that fishermen catch immature fish, use poison to fish.