Five confirmed dead in Lake Victoria boat accident

Uganda Police Marine Unit have confirmed the drowning of five people after a boat they were travelling in capsized on Lake Victoria in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

According to the Uganda Police Marine Unit Spokesperson, ASP Antony Amanya , “the accident was caused by engine failure and bad weather but the boat was not good shape. It wasn’t licensed to operate on the Lake”

Amanya said with efforts from sister security agencies, 11 people were rescued, three bodies recovered and a search for two missing persons is still going on.

“The public and all people using the lake have to guard their lives very well ;they must put on their life jackets," he said.

"For example there were 16 individuals on the boat, 11 had life jackets and they were all rescued, the five who didn’t have died. So if they were all putting on , we wouldn’t have registered any issues."

He also appealed to the users to register and license the boats in order to own standard boats required on the lake.

Stephen Mulaje, a witness, told Nile Post the incident that happened at around 4am.

“We suspect the incident could have resulted from the engine failure due to bad weather on the lake,” Mulaje added.

The boat was on its way to Nakiwogo landing site from Bussi Island in Wakiso District.

Last year, 20 people drowned when a boat they were travelling in capsized near Kasenyi Landing Site on Lake Victoria in Katabi Town Council.