Tanzania receives 13 bodies of Mpigi accident victims

CAR ACCIDENT | TANZANIA NATIONALS

The bodies of 13 Tanzania nationals who perished in a car accident at Katonga on the Kampala - Masaka Highway on Sunday were on Tuesday formally handed over to the Government of Tanzania by Kampala minister Beti Kamya.

Last night, the Uganda government repatriated the dead to Dar-es-salaam aboard a chartered Kenya Airways Cargo flight.

During the hand over ceremony at Lugalo Military Hospital, Angella Kariuki, the minister of state in the office of the president (Tanzania) expressed thanks to President Yoweri Museveni for the  assistance extended to the people of Tanzania in their hour of need. 

She said the repatriation of their loved ones is a testimony to the deep sense of brotherhood between the people of the two nations.

In his condolence message to Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli, the bereaved family and people of Tanzania, President Yoweri  Museveni  extended condolences on behalf his family and the people of the Uganda on the "tragic loss of so many brothers and sisters from Tanzania." The message was read by Kamya.

Kamya also handed over the victims' death certificates and related police reports.

The deceased are:  George Teu, Alfred Teu, Sakas Teu, RehemaTeu, Ester Teu, Paulina Ndagala, Bonifance  Njenga, Vivian Mchaki, Edwin Kimaryo, Aristariki Shayo, Digna Bosco, Happy Soka and Dr. Inot Laizer.

According to Uganda's High Commissioner to Tanzania, Richard Kabonero, the victims will be today in Mwtara, Moshi and Arusha.

The victims were heading to Tanzania after attending the wedding of Anneth Teu and Treasure Ibingira, son to the Makerere University don, Prof. Charles Ibingira.

Family sources said the bride lost three siblings in the accident.

The bride and groom tied the knot on Saturday at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala.