By Fred Kiva
Uganda Police is to offer Ugandans free swimming lessons, a year after the Lake Victoria MV Templar vessel accident in which over 30 people died.
The vessel carrying about 100 party-goers among them Musician Iryn Namubiru and Buganda Prince David Wasajja, capsized a few meters away from Mutima Beach in Mukono on November 24, 2018.
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.”
Namaye also emphasized the need for water users to follow the already existing water safety guidelines, like the use of life jackets.