Uganda: 5 Female Bodies Recovered Following Boat Accident That Killed 25

• Deo Sentiba, the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) spokesperson, disclosed that they had recovered and identified five female bodies
• Sentiba said the deceased had been handed over to the families camped at the shores of the lake for burial
• Fishermen at the Lwanabatya landing site faulted the government agencies for the slow time they were taking to recover the bodies

Five bodies have been retrieved from Lake Victoria following the marine accident that claimed 25 lives on Wednesday, August 2.

The rescue operation has been a cooperation between the Uganda Police Force and the country's army marines.

Deo Sentiba, the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) spokesperson, disclosed that they had recovered and identified the bodies at a landing site.

He said the relatives would be handed the bodies for burial.

"Five bodies have been conveyed to Kasenyi landing site, and they have already been identified by relatives and taken for burial," he told Monitor on Saturday, August 5 afternoon.

Those identified are Edith Najjuma, Proscovia Namulondo, Winnie Nankya, Zamu Longose and Gladys Nabiseera, all females.

He further clarified that of the 30 passengers reportedly on board, 10 survived, stating that 15 people are still missing.

Delay in recovering bodies

Fishermen at the Lwanabatya landing site expressed dissatisfaction with the speed the government is taking to recover the bodies.

Lawrence Ssekanjako noted that when people drown in deep waters of the lake, it takes 3-4 days to recover their remains.

He suggested that the Uganda People's Defense Forces should contact the local fishermen to help with the search.

"I'm surprised that only 5 out of 20 bodies have far been recovered. This is the time all bodies would be floating on water or pushed towards the shores. I suggest that the Army involves local fishermen in Nsazi to help in the search," he added.

The identification of those in the boat has also been hampered by traditional private wooden boat operators keeping no record of passengers on board, unlike other large water vessels.

Ill-fated boat was overloaded

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that fishermen from neighbouring shores said the boat was transporting 34 passengers and cargo from Lwanabatya Landing Site in Kalangala District.

The boat was also ferrying a large consignment that included several bags of charcoal, fresh foods and sardines.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango said overloading and bad weather conditions were to blame for one of the worst tragedies in recent times.

"The number of people on board are allegedly to be 34. The boat was carrying bags of charcoal, fresh foods, silver fish, among others. The cause of accident is attributed to overloading and bad weather," he said in a statement.