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Kayunga ferry accident blamed on overloading
Check. A Unra engineer examines the broken ferry at Izahniro Landing Site on July 24, 2019. PHOTO BY FRED MUZAALE
At least 45 passengers aboard the Kayunga-Kamuli ferry on Tuesday evening survived death after the water vessel got involved in an accident.
Mr Mark Ssali, the Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) spokesperson, said the ferry was on its last trip between 6pm and 7pm when its front part broke down.
Mr Sam Magandha, a survivor, said the ferry had docked at Izanhiro Landing Site in Kamuli District with two trucks loaded with rocks on board.
“The crew of the ferry had told us to wait for the trucks to be off-loaded before we could disembark, but as we sat waiting for our turn, we heard a big bang and we saw the front part of the ferry with the truck breaking off,” Mr Magandha recounts.
Another witness, who preferred not to be named, blamed the accident on overloading. She said the trucks were very heavy.
“After about ten minutes, a boat belonging to Unra and local fishermen came to rescue us,” she added.
The Kayunga Resident District Commisioner, Ms Kikomeko Mwanamwoiza, and the Kayunga District Police Commander, Mr John Lukooto, rushed to the scene on Wednesday.
“The problem will be fixed and there is no cause for alarm,” Mr Mwanamwoiza said.
At both Bugobero and Izanhiro landing sites in Kayunga and Kamuli districts, hundreds of passengers were seen stranded and motorists had to drive back and use the longer route via Jinja Town.
Yesterday, Unra in a statement said: “The process of removing the truck is ongoing and we are going to assess the damage on the ferry and repair it.”
The ferry that provides a shorter and alternative route to the eastern parts of the country, was commissioned by President Museveni in June 2014. Its service is free and because of this opportunity, many passengers and motorists use it.
