By Stephen Kalema
Ugandans are yet to get over the Saturday boat tragedy that claimed the lives of 31 people. The KPalm boat capsized in Lake Victoria on its way to Mutima Beach in Mukono. Initial reports suggest that there were more than 100 partiers on board, including the Buganda prince, David Wasajja, local artiste Iryn Namubiru and several other socialites.
Fredrick Mubiru, one of the few survivors narrates how Prince Wasajja and Namubiru survived.
“We boarded the boat in a happy mood. I recognised the prince and walked over to him to take a selfie with him. Many people took selfies with him. I never left his side after taking the selfie. Life jackets were not as many as the passengers. At first, Wassajja and Namubiru, just like many other passengers did not have jackets but authorities on the boat looked for them and handed them life jackets.”
“The speakers on boat were the first sign that the boat was capsizing.”
“By the time the tragedy happened at about 7pm, almost 80 per cent of the passengers were drunk and music was loud. We were all dancing.
Then the boat tilted to one side and the speakers fell over. These were followed by the drunk revellers, one by one. Everyone was screaming. I was holding onto a pole and Wassajja too, was clinging onto another pole. Iryn, just like the rest of us was screaming, asking for help and Jesus.”
“Eventually, the boat ‘overturned’. I am a good swimmer so I managed to stay afloat. We were almost docking so I swam towards the shore. I remember a certain man who strived to see that the Prince is safe. Prince Wassajja had a life jacket but he also knew how to swim that is how they managed to make it to the shore.”
“Another good swimmer rescued Namubiru.”
“Wassajja was rushed off the scene but I don’t remember seeing Iryn again after she was rescued.”
“Most notably there was a boat that came to help in the rescue. But because many people rushed to it, it also over turned, killing those who had jumped into it, including its caretaker Bosco Owecho.”
Meanwhile these are some of the identified victims: John Nyanzi, Templar Bisaso (Director of the capsized boat), Michael Musisi, Asaba Bilditon, Mbetu Arnold, Wamala Danis, Ndorin Brian, Kaddu Michael, Kawuki Tonny, Muyenga Moses, Namara Ritah, Mawanda Fred and Ssemakula.
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