Survivors of the Sunday afternoon boat accident on Lake Albert have indicated that many of their colleagues could hardly know of an impending tragedy because they were under the influence of alcohol. The boat carrying over 50 people capsized at around 3 pm , a few meters after setting off ,on its way to Runga […]
Survivors of the Sunday afternoon boat accident on Lake Albert have indicated that many of their colleagues could hardly know of an impending tragedy because they were under the influence of alcohol.
The boat carrying over 50 people capsized at around 3 pm , a few meters after setting off ,on its way to Runga landing site in Kigorobya Sub County while transporting footballers and fans from Fofo Landing site in Tonya parish Buseruka Sub-county Hoima district.
According to eye witnesses, the fans and football players who set off from the landing site amid jubilation started calling for help, almost 300 metres into the lake.
Zawadi Rundi, 20, a survivor says that the boat started losing balance immediately after take-off but many of the occupants thought it was a normal occurrence on the lake.
He says after sailing, one side of the boat sank into the water. Rundi says that since several passengers on the boat were drunk, they couldn’t realise the boat was capsizing.
Kenneth Twesige, 20, another survivor says there was a stampede when the boat started capsizing forcing some of the occupants to jump into the lake.
Siraji Bedijo, the Buseruka Sub county youth councilor says the ill-fated boat was carrying over 60 footballers and fans, heading to Runga Landing site in the neighbouring Kigorobya Sub county for a friendly match.
Three people have been confirmed dead while over 30 others are stilling missing.
30 of the boat passengers were rescued by local fishermen. The deceased have been identified as Majid Mayaya, Winnie Ayera and one Omirambe, all residents of Fofo landing site. Baker Ogen, the Chairman Fofo Landing site attributes the accident to overloading and bad weather. He reveals that the boat was taken off course by strong wind.
Sunday Bruno, the UPDF Marine Officer at Mbegu Detach says the search for the missing persons is underway.
This is the latest of the many fatal accidents on Lake Albert. In December 2016, about 30 footballers drowned in the same lake in Buliisa district. The water tragedy comes barely half a year after the one on Lake Victoria in November last year. Over 30 Kampala party goers drowned during a boat cruise.
