Man jumps off boat, drowns in Lake Victoria

KALANGALA - An unknown passenger earlier today (September 30)  drowned in Lake Victoria after jumping off from a passenger boat known as Kinaala from Kalangala heading to Lambu landing site in Masaka.

The passenger, who was identified as a spice vendor, had not been identified by press time.

It is reported that whereas he had been at Lujjabwa landing site in Mazinga sub-county, Kalangala district for three days back, no one knows his name or his origin.

Peter Matovu, the boat owner, says that the deceased seemed to be depressed right from the time of departing the landing site.

“On our way to Lambu, we dropped off a passenger at Mulabana landing site and embarked on sailing to Lambu; however, as we started sailing, we heard him saying “Mweraba banange” and jumped into the Lake,” says Matovu.

He further narrates that they tried to stop the boat for rescue, but the lake couldn’t give him a third chance to surface on top.

Police have confirmed that the incident was reported at Mulabana Police Station on file number SD Ref: 06/30/09/2025.

Twaha Kasirye, the Masaka Regional Spokesperson, insisted that landing site leaders must register new people before allowing them to settle in the area or transact any trade.

“Our team searched the bag that the deceased had abandoned, but no documents were found. It seems he drowned with his phone,” says Kasirye.

The body was still missing by press time. Denis Ssebuggwaawo, a resident of Lujjabwa islands, lamented that some people move without identification, while some use nicknames.

“In a period of three years, we have buried over six bodies in landing site cemeteries in Mazinga sub-county after failing to identify their families or relatives.

Despite our efforts to register everyone, some sneak in during late hours of the night and hide until life turns worse on their side,” says Sande Gerald Kayita, the Mazinga sub-county chairperson.