Police say they are in no hurry to call off the search for a Dutch national who went missing in Murchison Falls National Park last week.
Sophie Isabela Frederica, a medical student went missing on Wednesday last week under unclear circumstances.
A water bottle from which she was drinking was found on the banks of the Nile by the search team.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the Aswa Region Police Spokesperson said on Tuesday that although the police search effort has been fruitless, they are still optimistic and won’t call it off.
Okema said the search team on the ground is expected to expand after the Netherlands Embassy in Uganda pledged to support police with additional experts.
According to the police publicist, the team of Dutch experts is expected to arrive at scene within this week to bolster ongoing efforts.
A team of divers from Police Marine Unit have been scouring the bed of River Nile in desperate search for the missing Dutch national.
At least two police divers were on Tuesday seen diving into the fast running waters which is infested with crocodiles and hippos.
Police are reportedly also examining the phone records of the missing Dutch national for clues on her disappearance.
An army chopper has also been helping in the search.
According to unconfirmed reports, her parents have who are already in Kampala are planning to travel to the scene of her disappearance. They have reportedly offered US$ 35, 000 (around UgShs 100M)as a prize to anyone with information on what could have happened to her or her whereabout.
There are fears that she might have drowned into the river though it is not clear what happened.
Last week, the search team came across a torn piece of cloth that Isabela was wearing on the day of her disappearance. The piece was found near the banks of the river.
James Owich
