KAMPALA – Police have so far recovered five bodies, out of the 20 individuals who drowned in the August 2 boat accident on Lake Victoria.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the recovered bodies have been transported to City Mortuary Mulago for postmortem examinations.
He identified the victims so far recovered from the lake as Nankya Winnie aged 29 years, Rugose Zam Mutesi Angel aged 35 years, Nabisele Galdyce aged 40 years, Namulondo Proscovia 44 years
and Najuna Edith aged 30 years.
He said whereas rescue efforts are ongoing, the marine team is facing challenges of bad weather
“Unfortunately, the rescue efforts are facing challenges due to the rough conditions of the lake and heavy rainfall. The combined efforts of the Police Marines, UPDF Marines, and local residents persist in their mission to locate and recover all missing persons.
We kindly request the public, especially those with missing relatives, to remain patient and composed as the rescue team continues to work tirelessly around the clock in their search and recovery operations,” Onyango said on Saturday.
The canoe which capsized on August 2 had 34 people of whom 20 are said to have drowned.
Lake Victoria boat accidents are very common, with many drownings unreported.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics ,Uganda registers “one of the world’s highest drowning deaths rates” of 502 in every 100,000 people residing in lakeside fishing communities .
In Uganda, about 90 percent of recorded drowning cases are fatalities and many go unreported.
A study conducted by Makerere University’s School of Public Health revealed that a total of 3,500 Ugandans across 74 districts drowned between January 1, 2016 and June 30,2018. The survey further revealed that the number of deaths identified per district ranged from 30 to 287 in lakeside districts and from 47 to 123 in non-lake districts.
