KAMPALA- The Police Marine Unit has confirmed that a cruise boat carrying a Kampala band capsized on Lake Victoria after colliding with another vessel at Ggaba, resulting in the band members being thrown into the water.
A rescue operation is underway on Lake Victoria after a cruise boat carrying a Kampala band capsized following a collision with another vessel at Ggaba. At least 8 band members have been rescued.
According to Commissioner of Police Suleiman Kirungi, head of the Marine Police, the boat carrying the Saxo Flames Band members was struck by another vessel, which then fled the scene immediately after the collision.
He said the accident occurred when members of the Band were returning from a performance at Divine Beach in Mukono district.
“Our Marine Police team rushed to the scene and rescued eight members of the band while another colleague of theirs is still missing. There other boat was parked at Gaba Beach House, but the boater took and we are still looking for him.” Kirungi said.
According to the Police Spokesperson, several members of the Saxo Flames Band have so far been rescued after their boat capsized on Lake Victoria. The rescued members include. Sharon Mujuzi, Dennis Ntambi, David Matou, Grace Nayiga, Josh Muwanguzi, Jill Mukaya, Derrick Maganda and one Manitoba.
“Most of the rescued individuals owe their lives to the quick thinking of other revelers at Ggaba Beach House, who heard their desperate cries for help and rushed to the scene. The police later joined the rescue efforts,” Rusoke explained.
Police has since cautioned the public to exercise extra caution while traveling on water.
Cue out… to put on life jackets,”//
According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, Uganda has one of the highest drowning death rates globally.
The country records a staggering 502 drowning deaths per 100,000 people in lakeside fishing communities. Alarmingly, over 90% of reported drowning cases result in fatalities, and many incidents go unreported.
