By Our Reporter
MUKONO – Ssenkezi Francis was on board when a boat cruise carrying over 90 people suddenly capsized on Lake Victoria leaving multiple people dead on Saturday.
Explaining how terrifying the ordeal was, Francis said the incident happened not far from Mpatta Sub-County in Mukono district, central Uganda after their departure at around 4 pm.
“The boat proceeded gently. Along the way, it suddenly descend below the surface, and we all fell into the water. Most people were putting on life jackets – only about 15 (fifteen) people didn’t have them on,” Francis narrated.
The cause of the accident is still unclear. However, unconfirmed reports claim overloading and bad mechanical condition.
According to sources, the captain was able to detect what could have been a hole within the boat causing the leakage. The sinking was gradual, however, first responders could not make it in time to save ever life on broad after the emergency call.
“It is a sad moment. UPDF and UPF marine units continue on a search and rescue mission on the waters of Lake Victoria for survivors and those perished in the boat cruise from KK beach,” said army spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire in a statement.
The sinking was gradual, however, first responders could not make it in time to save ever life on broad.
“I put off my life jacket and gave it to someone I saw drowning who could not swim,” Ssenkezi Francis said.
Francis said they screamed for help, tried to swim to the main land, as others took firm grip on visible parts of the boat wreckage before it was fully submerged.
“We screamed for over 25 minutes, and saw rescue teams on a boat coming to save us,” he said.
Francis said he survived twice, after the rescue boat that was sent out, also submerged due to the over load.
More people died at this incident too, he recalled.
“I kept swimming until another boat surfaced ,and retrieved us from the waters to the main land (Mutiima beach),” he said.
Local media reports that as many as 66 people were found alive and rescued after the boat disaster. However, the number of those confirmed dead had by Sunday morning risen to nearly 29
According to Samson Kasumba a reporter attached to NBS TV, business man Tepla who was the owner of the boat and his wife were confirmed dead. Reports also claim the man who rescued singer Iryn Namubiru and Buganda Prince David Wasajja, did not survive the tragedy.
Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson Emilian Kayima said search and rescue efforts will continue for others believed to be trapped under the water.
Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko who arrived at the scene moments after the tragic incident, commended the ‘swift’ joint rescue operation by the marine units of Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
He also thanked Mr Ssenkezi Francis, Mayor Ali Kasirye Mulyanyama, and the local residents for coming out to attend to the matter.
In September this year, 200 people were killed in a Tanzanian ferry disaster on Lake Victoria, with officials saying it had been dangerously overcrowded.
