KAMPALA – Buganda Prince David Wasajja has been questioned by police over the accident on Lake Victoria that claimed lives of 32 people about 10 days ago.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Monday, Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said Prince Wasajja, who was allegedly the organizer of the boat cruise, was quizzed alongside other survivors to give their side of the story in connection to allegations that the boat was in bad mechanical condition.
“We interviewed survivors, including Prince Wasajja. We also recorded statements from our marine officers who were at the scene to understand what happened before the boat set off but they have not been arrested,” Mr Kayima said.
The ill-fated boat is said to have been carrying over 100 revellers, beyond its capacity.
However, Mr Kayima said they could not easily determine the actual number of revellers on the boat since survivors gave contradicting figures.
“Many eyewitnesses were giving us different estimates. But we were told that many people were on this boat but most of those who had been rescued just ran away either because of shock or it was intentional. We only have 26 survivors on record,” he said.
Ms Zurah Ganyana, who stood in for Kayima during the rescue mission, said police officially ended the rescue mission after failing to trace more bodies in the lake.
She said only five people have remained unaccounted for, according to their relatives.
Police also said 27 bags, seven phones, 12 national IDs, nine chairs, one generator, four pairs of male shoes, three pairs of female shoes, and an assortment of clothes had been recovered from the water and the ill-fated boat.
“Money recovered was Shs500,000 and some has already been recovered by right owners. In particular, we applaud the big heart of the late Bosco Owecho, a local fisherman from Buzindeere Island who died while rescuing those trapped in boat tragedy,” Ms Ganyana said.
Mr Kayima said all marine officers have been ordered to ensure all boats are registered and should always work in hand with beach owners to register revellers.
Police also restricted swimming past 6 pm at the beaches ahead of Christmas.