Police in Buvuma district are currently conducting a search for the bodies of four individuals following a tragic incident where an overloaded boat capsized on Lake Victoria.
The incident occurred during the night of February 15, 2024, as the boat was ferrying passengers from Kirongo landing site in Busamuzi sub-county, Buvuma district, to Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district.
According to reports from Ssezibwa Police region spokesperson Hellen Bututo, the overloaded boat was hired by coxwain Kabenge from Kiyindi village and was loaded with five cows, a sack of silver fish (Mukene), a motorcycle whose number plate remains unidentified, and four passengers.
Eyewitness Elisa Mukisa, a 16-year-old pupil at Kirongo Primary School, recounted that concerns were raised about the boat being overloaded before it set off. However, Kabenge dismissed the warnings, claiming expertise in boat navigation.
Tragedy struck as the boat reached the middle of the lake, prompting cries for help from the occupants as the boat began to sink rapidly.
Despite rescue efforts led by locals using another boat, only the capsized boat and the bodies of four cows were recovered. The search for the remaining victims is ongoing, with marine officers from Kiyindi leading the recovery efforts.
This unfortunate incident adds to a series of deadly boat tragedies on Lake Victoria.
