Five people died when the boat they were travelling in capsized on Lake Victoria on Thursday (June, 9).
Police said that the incident happened at around 4 am on Lake Victoria as the deceased were travelling from Mpenja Island, Mukono District to Ggaba landing site.
The Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the boat was overloaded with 10 passengers and goods.
“The boat was overloaded with merchandises and passengers when strong waves hit it and split it into two parts. This caused some of the passengers to drown and lost their lives and others managed to escape death,” he said.
Police Marine Patrol officers rushed to the scene after getting the messages from the fishermen and managed to save five people who were found still floating on water.
“As the police marine patrol continued with their search, only three bodies were identified as two still remained out of sight,” Onyango said.
The survivors include the owner of the boat only identified as Ssemaganda, his wife Florence Nataba, Abbasi Walugembe, John Kabulu and Simon Peter Ssewankabwe.
The names of the deceased are a five months daughter to Florence Nantaba, Annet Nakachwa 36, Oliver Nasunday 25, Frank Musiraamu and Irene Akomugisha.
Onyanga said Frank Musiraamu and Irene Akomugisha are still missing.
Some of the survivors thanked God for saving their lives from the tragic incident.
Police have cautioned the public to always wear life jackets whenever they are travelling on water bodies.
