20 feared dead after boat capsizes in Lake Victoria

ENTEBBE, Uganda

At least 20 people are feared dead after a passenger boat they were travelling in capsized in Lake Victoria on Ugandan waters in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

A private boat with passengers leaving Masese landing site in Jinja, Uganda destined for Buvuma Islands

The ill-fated giant boat, locally known as Kinaala, was transporting passengers and cargo from Lwanabatya landing site in Kyamuswa County, Kalangala District to Kasenyi landing site near Entebbe in Wakiso District, according to fishermen.

The boat was reportedly hit by strong winds near Nsazi Island on Lake Victoria in Mukono District. While it is believed that thirty people were on board, ten survivors have been rescued by fishermen, according to fisherman Noah Kizza.

Mr Joshua Wafumbwa, a councillor representing Kyamuswa Sub County in Kalangala District, said that rescue efforts are ongoing to locate other survivors. 

"We have already alerted the marine police on the lake, and all efforts are being made to save those who are still alive," he said.

This marks the third fatal boat accident on Lake Victoria in barely a month.

On July 5, five people lost their lives in two separate boat accidents on Lake Victoria. One of the boats, carrying 14 passengers, was sailing from Kisaba landing site in Kyamuswa County, Kalangala District, to Katosi landing site in Mukono District. 

Another boat, with a couple, Ms Betty Nabwire, 45 and Richard Ongodia,50, on board, was coming from Kisi Island where the duo owned a garden, and heading to Bussi fishing village in Mukono District. Mr Ongodia narrowly survived death after being rescued by fishermen in another boat. The couple was returning from their garden on Kisi Island, where they had gone to collect food.

Early this week, some 13 people, including 11 school children died dead after a canoe they were travelling in capsized on Lake Victoria, Mara region Tanzania.

The accident occurred on Sunday evening at Mchigondo Village as the the victims crossed from Bulomba area of Igundu Village for a church service in Mchigondo.

Relatives are in a state of mourning on the shores of Lake Victoria at Mchigondo Village in Bunda district Tanzania, waiting for the recovery of bodies of 13 people died after the two canoes they were travelling in were hit by a storm and then drowned in the lake.

Mara Regional Commander of the Fire and Rescue Force, Mr Agostino Magere said the force deployed two boats with 22 officers from Mara and Mwanza and recovered the dead bodies.

Igundu Village chairperson, Sumils Nyamkinda said the villagers use canoe to cross from one village to another to avoid costs as the canoe normally carries them for free.

"We do not have bus transport here despite the fact that the road is good. Normally, we use motorcycles which cost between Sh3,000 and Sh4,000,” he said, adding that the free canoe transport was not official.