Boat tragedy: Clerics urge government to act tough on those who break laws

Government has been challenged to come up with stringent maritime laws – as the country mourns dozens of lives lost in a boat accident last weekend.

Clerics on Friday called upon government to act tough on those who break the law – warning that failure to do so will instead lead to more deaths.

Flags flew at half-mast on Friday as the country mourned dozens of revellers whose boat capsized on November 24 on Lake Victoria.

It was a sombre mood at Parliament – with flags lowered to honour the dead. At All Saints Cathedral in Kampala where special prayers were held for the deceased, government was cautioned to take part in organising mourning prayers in future – rather than expecting clerics to fulfil all duties.

lAt least 34 bodies have been retrieved – with scores more still missing. Clerics challenged government to strengthen maritime laws – to avoid similar accidents in future.

Some critics have however faulted government over its failure to declare national mourning to honour the memory of a dozen students burnt to death earlier this month when their dormitory at St Bernard SS, Mannya Rakai district was set on fire.