The Police Marine Unit, has in custody a one Issa Sisye, a 50year old, boat driver, for conveying passengers in an unlawful manner on the 19.08.2023, boat, which led to a head on collision with another boat. The driver of the second boat is wanted as well. The facts gathered indicate that the suspect, while at Ripon Landing Site, unlawfully and stealthily loaded 10 passengers (8 males amd 2 females), 230 jerrycans of fuel, 40 crates of soda, 10 crates of beer and other merchandise all worth Ugx 35m, for Lolwe Island, against the restricted transportation of passengers at night.
When they reached Lingira area in Buvuma district, they collided with another cargo boat, that was transporting sand from Lufu Island also with 10 occupants, heading towards Jinja. Both boats which had no navigation lights, capsized after the boat collision.
We want to thank the good Samaritans, who were fishing silver fish (Mukene), after they courageously involved themselves in the dangerous situation and saved all the 20 occupants. It would have been another tragedy. The Police Marine Unit, transferred 6 survivors to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for further management. A dive operation was conducted at the crash fate, and 2 engines 40 HP each, were dismantled from the boats, and the cargo boat turned to Jinja.
We would like to caution all boat drivers for both cargo and passenger travel, that the open waters are very hostile and dangerous for movement, especially at night and without navigation lights.
SCP Enanga Fred
Police Spokesperson
21st August 2023
