Asuman Musobya
16 November 2009
At least 26 people are feared dead after a boat they were travelling in capsized in Lake Victoria on Thursday.
The boat on transit from Lugala Market to Hama Island in Kenya, overturned about 45 kilometres from Sigulu Island at around 5.30pm according to witnesses.
Overloading, waves
Bugiri District Deputy Fisheries Officer, Mr Deogratious Mwogerwa said the boat which was carrying 50 people was hit by strong waves forcing it to capsize after reaching Usenge, a border point between Kenya and Ugandan waters.
Mr Mwogerwa said the owner of the boat, one Karim, had earlier been cautioned against overloading. Speaking from Subaah Island Hospital in Kenya, one of the survivors, Ms Teddy Auma, said it seems the boat ran short of fuel one and half hours after leaving Lugala landing site.
No life jackets
According to another survivor only identified as Okiror, who was rescued by Kenyan fishermen, a few of the passengers were wearing life jackets.
By press time, only fourteen bodies including that of a mother and two of her children had been recovered from Subaah Island.
The District Police Commander, Mr Dan Byaruhanga said Police was still searching for missing bodies adding that investigation into the cause of the accident was ongoing.
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