Over the weekend on Sunday, survivors and relatives of the victims of the MV Templar boat that capsized on Lake Victoria gathered at Mutima beach to commemorate a one year anniversary of the disastrous incident that claimed lives of over 30 people.
According to police and survivors, many of those who perished in the water tragedy didn’t know how to swim. After the tragedy, the Ministry of Works and Transport embarked on a campaign to regulate water transport by registering all boats, ascertaining their safety to passengers and their transport worthiness.
Addressing journalists at Central Police Station Kampala on Monday Deputy Police Spokesperson Polly Namaye said as part of commemorations of the 1st anniversary since the MV Templar tragedy, the police have organized free swimming and lifesaving lessons to members of the public, for their safety in case of similar accidents.
Namaye said the police have partnered with Swim Safe Uganda and Civil Aviation Authority to roll out the program.
“Uganda Police Marine Department in partnership with Swim Safe Uganda and Civil Aviation Authority will provide free lessons to members of the public willing to take part,” Namaye said adding: “The program will run from December 9-19, 2019 at Nameless Beach in Entebbe.”
On November 24, 2018, MV Templar, a vote destined for K-Palm beach capsized a few metres away from Mutima beach in Mukono district.
The joint operation by Police and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) marines and local saw 32 bodies recovered whereas 26 people, including Prince David Wasajja of Buganda, musician Iryn Namubiru and a city tycoon, John Fredrick Kiyimba commonly known as Freeman rescued.
Following the incident, it was reported that before the ill-fated MV Templar took the fateful journey, marine police officers attempted to block the operators and revelers from leaving KK beach Ggaba in vain despite the boat being in a poor condition that had seen it fabricated a few minutes to setting off.
It was also reported that the boat had been grounded for three months before last time and hurried refurbishments were done on it, hours to the fateful journey.
