MUKONO – Over 50 revellers who survived the boat tragedy on Lake Victoria on November 24 have secretly picked their items from police.
There were fears that the boat accident had claimed over 80 lives but Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the development indicates that more people survived the tragedy.
Mr Owoyesigyire said during the seven-day rescue operation, National IDs, ATM cards and handbags were retrieved from the lake and the boat wreckage, adding that since then, 50 survivors of the accident have identified and taken them.
“They called the telephone numbers we gave out through the media and were informed to pick their items at Mukono Police Station,” he said.
“These new survivors have given us hope that actually many people survived this tragedy but they were perhaps in shock. We are happy that they have come out and personally picked these items. We urge those who haven’t picked their belongings to visit Mukono Police Station,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.
Police had last week said 27 bags, seven phones, 12 national IDs, nine chairs, one generator, four pairs of male shoes, three pairs of female shoes, and an assortment of clothes had been recovered from the water and the ill-fated boat.
He said they are still keeping four unclaimed vehicles.
“These vehicles include one for Sheila Bisaso who was the wife to boat owner [Templar] Bisaso. It is unfortunate that Sheila and Bisaso perished in this tragedy,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.
He said some people have come to pick some of the cars but lacked satisfying documents.
Last week, Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said Prince Wasajja, who was allegedly the organizer of the boat cruise, was quizzed alongside other survivors to give their side of the story in connection to allegations that the boat was in bad mechanical condition.
“We interviewed survivors, including Prince Wasajja. We also recorded statements from our marine officers who were at the scene to understand what happened before the boat set off but they have not been arrested,” Mr Kayima said.
