-Marine Police Launch Desperate Search and Rescue Mission
By Insight Post Uganda
Mukono-Uganda
Tragedy struck the serene waters of Lake Victoria, Wednesday morning, as a massive boat, locally called “ekinaala,” capsized, leaving five individuals feared dead. The incident occurred near Kimi, one of the scattered islands at Koome.
It is said the overloaded vessel from Kisaba landing site in Kalangala District was on the route to Katosi landing site in Mukono District. The Marine Police, faced with a grim situation, have launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing individuals.
According to AIP Milton Ecopason, the Officer in Charge of Marine Police at Katosi Station, the ill-fated boat was carrying a total of eleven people.
Fortunately, six individuals were rescued, while the remaining five are still unaccounted for and presumed to have tragically perished in the water.
Additionally, the boat was burdened with a heavy load comprising over 100 bags of charcoal and 40 bags of silverfish, along with other produce.
Elifazi Jjumba, one of the survivors, recounts the harrowing experience after docking at Katosi landing site. He explains that their engine malfunctioned during the journey, leaving them vulnerable to the relentless onslaught of heavy waves and winds.
It was this treacherous combination that ultimately caused the boat to capsize. Jjumba further thanked the Almighty God for the fortunate few who survived, acknowledging the blessing that prevented the cargo from falling on them. However, he couldn’t help but lament the loss of his sunken silverfish sacks.
Aisha Nakyazze, a traveler on another boat that managed to rescue some of the individuals, emphasised the importance of their life jackets, which undoubtedly contributed to their survival.
She described how, upon reaching the scene, bags of charcoal and other commodities were still floating in the water.
AIP Ecopason expressed concern over the recurring issue of overloaded boats lacking personal safety devices. He highlighted the alarming practice of boat owners disregarding load capacities, causing the boats to sink below the waterline, which is wholly unacceptable.
Moreover, Ecopason noted that boat owners frequently neglect equipping their vessels with standard safety gear, while passengers also neglect to wear them. He emphasized the urgent need for government efforts to raise awareness about the importance of safety equipment.
Ecopason further highlighted the challenge faced by authorities in identifying individuals involved in accidents due to boat owners and operators failing to register passengers’ details before embarking on journeys. This lack of information makes it difficult for the police to identify the bodies that wash up on the shores of the lake.
Strong winds on the lake have been identified as a significant factor contributing to accidents. In the past two weeks alone, three bodies have been discovered along the shores of the Katosi landing site, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Despite these incidents, the identities of the deceased individuals remain unknown.
Past Tragic Incidents
Five individuals lost their lives in a tragic incident on September 3, 2019, when a passenger boat accident occurred between Bukasa Island in Kalangala District and Mukono District.
On November 25, 2018, a tragic incident unfolded on Lake Victoria as a cruise boat carrying partygoers capsized. In the aftermath of the disaster, the bodies of 31 individuals who had sadly drowned were recovered by Ugandan police divers and local fishermen.
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