Boat incident: Another body recovered as search continues

A yet-to-be-identified fisherman conducted the recovery in the evening hours of Thursday, August 3, 2023.

A joint effort comprising security divers and well-wishers, Moses Kabusu, a member of parliament from Kyamuswa County, said, recovered two remains before the operation was called off in the afternoon owing to bad weather.

On Wednesday morning, 25 individuals were reported to have perished in what has been termed one of the biggest tragedies on Lake Victoria this year. The victims were among the 34 people aboard the suspected ill-fated boat, which capsized along the way.

Kabuusu now suggests that the Government provide free life jackets to all those who travel by boat.

"The Ministry of Works says they are going to enforce life jackets as a prerequisite for travelling on water. Whereas it is a safety and security measure for their lives, the government did not take into consideration people who do not have them. Travelling on water is like walking on the road. If they have to enforce this mechanism of mandatory wearing of life jackets, they should give out life jackets to people travelling on water, said Kabuusu.

Police confirmed that the number of people on board was 34 and that the incident happened on Wednesday morning at 5 a.m.

The boat was carrying bags of charcoal, fresh foods, and silver fish, among others, while moving from Lwanabatya Landing Site in Kyamuswa County, Kalangala region, when it capsized.

According to Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) spokesperson Deo Sentiba, five bodies had been found by last evening.

On Thursday morning, he told the media that a joint team of the army and marine police, as well as private divers, were still conducting a search on the lake.

"When the incident occurred yesterday, at least a team from the FPU was dispatched, as well as a team from the Marine Brigade, as well as police and well-wishers, to assist and save these people. The FPU's duty on the lake is not only to combat illegality," Sentiba told the media this morning.