A heart-wrenching incident occurred on Lake Victoria yesterday, leaving 20 people dead and several others missing after a passenger boat capsized. The boat, locally known as ‘Kinaala,’ was on its way from Lwanabatya landing site in Kalangala district to Kasenyi landing site in Entebbe when disaster struck.
According to reports, the boat was carrying 34 people, including its crew and passengers, when it encountered heavy winds and inclement weather during the journey. The adverse conditions proved too much for the vessel to handle, leading to its tragic capsizing.
The proprietor of the boat, Andrew Siinda, was reportedly interrogated by police following claims from locals that the vessel was operating beyond the recommended time. However, Siinda refuted these allegations, asserting that his boat was in perfect condition. ‘Kinaala,’ a wooden boat, was larger than traditional boats or canoes and had a capacity to carry up to eight tonnes of cargo.
Siinda Junior, who inherited the boat after his father’s passing, stated that regular inspections were carried out on the vessel, and it possessed a valid license to operate, dispelling any doubts about its seaworthiness.
While the cause of the accident is still under investigation, some locals in the Kyamuswa area, where the boat operated, have blamed the government for the tragedy. They expressed their frustration with the absence of a functional ferry, which has allowed private boat owners to fill the void in passenger transportation services. Concerns were raised about overloaded boats operating in harsh weather conditions, potentially making them susceptible to accidents like this.
Siinda Junior, who miraculously survived the disaster, described the incident as a result of bad weather conditions. He recounted how strong waves hit the vessel, affecting its engine and steering it off course towards Nsazi Island in Mukono, where it ultimately capsized.
Questions have also been raised about the boat’s capacity and the lack of life jackets for passengers. The boat’s size and capacity have led to speculation about possible overloading, while the absence of life jackets has raised concerns about safety measures onboard.
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