Boat tragedy: Dozens still missing, 10 bodies retrieved

By Francis Otucu

The Joint Police and UPDF Marine Units are continuing the search on Lake Albert in an effort to retrieve more bodies after a boat carrying football players and supporters capsized Sunday afternoon. due to strong winds.

So far, ten bodies have been retrieved.

They include; Nyayenga Sande, 22,  Sisto Olarworth,  20,  Kotu Jareth, 19, Anita Janet , 18,  Ayera Biwaga,  18,  Majid Oyeny Dollar Winnie, Omirambe Jackisa,  23,  and and one Pasco aged 18.

Others retrieved Monday evening have been identified as Jackisa Omirambe,  23,  and Bonde Onencan, 23.

Earlier, Police spokesman, Fred Enanga said incident is currently under investigation after it was established that the landing site is ungazatted and that there were no life jackets.

“The tragic incident, demonstrates how the industry is still full of operators who ignore safety recommendations thus making passengers vulnerable as they travel on waters,” he said appealing to boat owners and operators to adhere to set standards.”

We do urge all boat operators on Ugandan waters to adhere to the maritime safety precautions in place, and also work closely with the inspectors from the Ministry of Works and Transport, to streamline their operation on the waters,” he said.

The said boat was transporting a local football team and fans, from Foso Landing Site to Runga Landing Site, in Kigorobya, Hoima district, capsized a few minutes after it had taken off after a reported strong wind.

A total of 32 occupants managed to survive after they were rescued, while others swam to the shores.

The number of those unaccounted for remain unknown.