Kalangala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | At least Nine people have been rescued while 25 have been confirmed dead after their boat capsized on Lake Victoria on Wednesday 2, August 2023 at around 5 am.
According to the police marine unit, there were 34 passengers on board at the time of the accident. Eyewitnesses said the overloaded boat was also carrying bags of charcoal, fresh foods, and silverfish among others.
The boat (locally known as Kinaala) was en route to Katabi town council, Wakiso district from Lwanabatya and Ntuuwa landing sites in Kalangala district. The boat came under strong waves shortly after passing Jaana Island, towards Nsazi Island in Mukono district, deep in the night.
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“They raised a distress call and changed route. They were heading to Kasenyi but instead turned to Nsazi. As they approached the island, the canoe capsized, and twenty died instantly…” said a senior reporter in Entebbe.
It is worth noting that the death toll from accidents on Ugandan water bodies is often high due to many passengers ignoring safety measures.
