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Search Underway For Bodies After Overloaded Boat Capsizes On Lake Victoria
Authorities in Buvuma district are conducting a search operation for the bodies of four individuals after a tragic incident on Lake Victoria last night. The overloaded boat, en route from Kirongo landing site in Busamuzi sub-county, Buvuma district to Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district, capsized, prompting a swift response from local authorities.
According to Hellen Bututo, the spokesperson for Ssezibwa Police region, the incident was reported by Elisa Mukisa, a 16-year-old pupil at Kirongo Primary School in Busamuzi sub-county. Bututo revealed that the boat, helmed by coxwain Kabenge from Kiyindi, had been hired from Omoro of the same village.
Eyewitness reports indicate that the boat was heavily loaded with five cows, a sack of silver fish (Mukene), an unidentified motorcycle number plate, and four passengers including butcher Karismart and businesswoman Nalongo Justine Achen from Kasali. Unfortunately, Nalongo’s body had already been recovered by the time of reporting.
Mukisa recounted that concerns were raised at the loading site regarding the overloaded condition of the boat, but Kabenge dismissed them, asserting his expertise in boating. As they traversed the lake, occupants began shouting for help as the boat started to sink. Despite efforts by a rescue team from Kirongo landing site, only the bodies of dead cows were found tied to the capsized boat.
The scene has since been handed over to marine officers from Kiyindi as search efforts for the missing individuals continue. This tragic incident adds to a grim history of boat accidents on Lake Victoria, underscoring the dangers posed by overloading and insufficient safety measures on water vessels.
In recent years, similar incidents have claimed numerous lives, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety regulations and enforcement measures to prevent further tragedies on one of Africa’s largest lakes. Authorities urge vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to avoid such heartbreaking incidents in the future.