By Johnbosco Tugume
HOIMA: Government has been asked to streamline water transport as an avenue to scale down rampant accidents on major water bodies.
Almost every year Uganda registers water tragedies; often blamed on lack of adherence to safety measures and poor mechanical condition of the water vessels.
The call by local leaders and residents neighbouring Lake Albert in Hoima district, follows death of over 30 footballers and their fans after their boat capsized in the lake on Sunday.
At the time of filing this story 16 bodies had been retrieved. But as the search for more bodies continues at Fofo landing site in Buseruka Sub county, many argue that such a tragedy could have been avoided if all the travelers had life jackets.
Nathan Adege, the Buseruka sub county council speaker says it's high time government came in to register all water vessels, ban those in poor mechanical condition and ensure that operators adhere to safety standards; including stocking life jackets for all travelers to wear.
Baker Ageno, the Fofo landing site Chairman says the death toll from the boat accident could have been minimized if all the passengers had life jackets. He argues that the three passengers that had life jackets all survived. Ageno asks government to ensure that life jackets are affordable and readily available in local markets.
“If these jackets can be affordable to our people and easily accessed, I think people can buy them for their safety,” he said. Meanwhile Ali Tinkamanyire, the Buseruka Sub county chairman advises fishermen to form up groups and apply for funding from government to stock life jackets for hire, as a project.
Following last year’s accident on Lake Victoria in which 33 Kampala party goers on boat cruise perished, government through Ministry of works and transport announced mandatory registration of all water vessels as one way to enforce safety standards. However implementation of this safety move seems yet to be rolled out.
