A marine police boat has capsized on Lake Victoria while on a rescue mission to recover bodies of persons who drowned this week.
Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, said the accident happened on Sunday August 6 at about 10:00 am.
“A tragic accident occurred on Lake Victoria involving a marine police boat that was on a rescue mission to recover missing persons who had drowned earlier this week,” Owoyesigyire said.
“While returning to the shore after successfully retrieving a body from the water, the boat capsized due to strong winds on the lake. We are relieved to report that all five Marine officers who were onboard the capsized boat have been rescued alive.”
He said the incident underscores the unpredictable nature of the lake and the challenging conditions that dedicated marine officers face while executing their life-saving duties.
“As the investigation into the accident is ongoing, further details will be provided as soon as they become available. Our priority remains to ensure the safety of our personnel and the public while conducting rescue operations and patrolling the waters of Lake Victoria, efforts to also retrieve more missing bodies (from this week’s accident) are still on.”
He thanked the rescuers who are participating in the successful retrieval of the missing person’s bodies and the prompt rescue of police officers.
“Their bravery and dedication are commendable. The Marine Police department remains committed to upholding safety protocols and measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. We will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities and stakeholders to enhance safety and rescue operations on Lake Victoria.”