A TRAGIC incident occurred on Lake Victoria as a boat capsized, claiming at least twenty lives. The accident, which took place in Ugandan waters, involved a boat carrying 34 people, of which 20 have been confirmed dead, according to a statement by Patrick Onyango, a police officer. Nine individuals were fortunate enough to be rescued, but the search continues for five missing persons.
Authorities report that the boat was transporting bags of charcoal, fresh foods, and silver fish when the tragedy struck. The cause of the incident has been attributed to both overloading and unfavourable weather conditions. ‘The boat was carrying bags of charcoal, fresh foods, and silver fish… the cause of the incident is attributed to overloading and bad weather,’ Patrick Onyango, a police officer, stated.
John Wandera, a fisherman who played a crucial role in rescuing the victims, explained that strong winds were a contributing factor to the boat capsizing.
Unfortunately, boat accidents are not uncommon in Uganda, and Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, has witnessed several such incidents in the past. This recent tragedy follows another boat capsizing on July 5 in Mukono district, where five people lost their lives.
As the search operation continues to locate the five missing individuals, Ugandan authorities are grappling with the recurring issue of boat accidents on Lake Victoria. The need for improved safety measures and adherence to load capacity guidelines remains a pressing concern to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.