Tragedy struck the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) on Sunday, October 12, 2025, when Senior Engineer Gershom Rwakasanga drowned at Busowoko Falls.
His body was recovered following a search by local rescue teams and police divers.
Rwakasanga, who served as Manager Terminals at UNOC, was off duty and spending time with his family at the scenic falls when the incident occurred.
“We wish to clarify that the incident occurred while he was off duty and spending time with his family, not during a work-related site visit,” UNOC said in a statement.
Preliminary reports indicate that the engineer had visited the falls with his daughter around 4:00 p.m. on October 11, 2025, when he went missing in the water. Rescue efforts were immediately launched and successfully recovered his body the following day.
UNOC expressed profound sorrow over the loss.
“It is with deep sorrow that we inform the public that the body of our colleague, Eng. Gershom Rwakasanga, Manager Terminals Development & Operations at the Jinja Storage Terminal, has been recovered from the River Nile following the tragic incident at Busowoko Falls,” the company said.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Gershom’s family, friends, and all who worked closely with him,” UNOC added.
The company described Rwakasanga’s death as a significant loss to both the organization and the broader energy sector.
“Eng. Rwakasanga’s passing is a great loss not only to his family but also to the entire UNOC fraternity and the energy sector at large,” the statement reiterated.
UNOC said further details and funeral arrangements will be shared in due course.
“Our collective thoughts and prayers are with all affected by this tragic loss,” the company concluded.
Rwakasanga’s death has drawn tributes from colleagues, friends, and industry peers who described him as humble, hardworking, and instrumental in advancing Uganda’s petroleum infrastructure.
