Survivors of MV Templar tragedy raise over sh150m for church
Nov 27, 2023
Friday, November 24, marked exactly five years since one of the darkest moments in Uganda’s history unfolded.
John Wynand Katende receives offertory from prince David Kintu Wasajja during thanksgiving Mass for MV Templar Boat Survivors at one the survivor’s home, Freeman Kiyimba. (Photos by Juliet Ann Lukwago
Juliet Anna Lukwago
Journalist @New Vision
_________________________ Minister of Defence, Vincent Bamulanzeki Ssempijja addressing participants during thanksgiving Mass since 5 years MV Templar Boat Survivors at one the survivor’s home, Freeman Kiyimba at Lungujja on Saturday on November 25, 2023
Five years ago, the survivors of the MV Templar tragedy named themselves “Kawonawo”, and on Saturday, they reunited to pray for the souls of over 33 lives that were lost on Lake Victoria in 2018 when a pleasure cruise turned tragic.
Friday, November 24, marked exactly five years since one of the darkest moments in Uganda’s history unfolded.
MV Templar was carrying over 100 people that set off at Mutima Beach, in Mukono District for K-Palm Beach, only to capsize at around 9:00 pm near Mutima Beach in Mpata in Mukono District killing over 33 people on Lake Victoria.
It took the deployment of MV Kalangala, one of the biggest water vessels in the country, to retrieve the MV Templar wreck on the fifth day of the operation.
Among the survivors were Buganda’s Prince David Kintu Wasajja, businessmen Fredrick Kiyimba, Paul Ssembatya alias Mulundannume, and John Micheal Kaddu, as well as musician Iryn Namubiru among others.
Fundraising drive
The survivors decided to remember the day with a fundraising drive to roof St Ponsiano Sub-Parish Church in Lubanda which is under reconstruction in memory of the people who passed away that day. Over sh150m was raised towards the project.
Prince Wasajja on behalf of the Kawonawo team pledged to continue helping the children of Bosco Owecho, a local fisherman who lost his life while attempting to rescue the victims.
Wasajja who started his speech with a song of praise, added “We are always thankful to God, and we don’t take things for granted. Take everything with gratitude.”
“We thank God for the gift of life, particularly five years ago when we survived together with my colleagues the MV Templar boat tragedy on Lake Victoria on November 24, 2018,” he said.
Prayers
The prayers were held at the home one the survivors, Freeman Kiyimba, in Lungujja, led by Msgr John Wynand Katende and assisted by Fr Gyaviira Twesimbe (parish priest of Kisoga Parish), Fr Stephen Mayanja who represented the Lubaga Cathedral administrator and Fr Charles Mpiima.
While preaching Msgr Katende said, “Today we are here for three main issues, for thanksgiving prayers, the praying for the deceased, which is very important, that is why we are here to pray for their souls.”
He explained that the Church offered prayers in suffrage for the deceased, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. 
“Praying for our people is a good action and helps those souls undergoing purification,” he said.
The prelate added that “it is also good to thank him for all the good things he did for us, that’s why this team has decided to do so this month as the Catholic Church is praying for the deceased.”
Katende explained that he was burying his father, Alfred Ddamulira, at Mpata village not far from where the tragedy happened, and that he went to the lake the next day as rescue efforts intensified.
Minister Ssempijja said the government has already worked on a map that will help water transport users know the risky places.
“Before, we didn’t have the map for water transport, but the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba, told us the map for Lake Victoria is already completed and in our hands to know the risky places and where the boats can pass without any fear at all,” Ssempijja said.
He called upon people who want to start the water transport business to do so, adding that the government will help them.
Security
Ssempijja assured Ugandans about security and that the government is doing everything possible to secure tourists’ visits.
“We have good security technology which can beef up the entire road network in the country,” Ssempijja revealed.
He added that ahead of the festive season, Uganda Police has increased deployment.
Host Kiyimba expressed gratitude that they managed to pull off the reunion and urged fellow survivors to execute their plans.
“I want to thank our patron, Prince David Kintu Wasajja, for accepting to reunite and keeping us together after five years as survivors and also to see that we fulfill the idea we came out with to reconstruct the Sub-Parish Church under Kisoga Catholic Parish in Lugazi Diocese near Mutima Beach,” he said.
“Much as the construction of the church was affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, we decided to finalise it this year. After completing the church, every survivor will be free to go and pray from there. I request each of us to get a day and go and pray in that church in remembering our fellow members and also for thanksgiving,” he added.
“I thank the Honorary Consul of Namibia to Uganda, Godfrey Kirumira, for accepting to be the chairman of the church construction committee and for the support for the noble cause, and all who have joined us in the reconstruction of the House of God, and all rescuers and residents who helped us on that dark day.”
Other notable attendees included Buganda Kingdom finance minister Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, Dr Mutaasa Kafeero, several survivors, members of the rescue team from Mutima Island and neighbouring places, as well as friends and family of those who lost their lives, among others.
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