A Lake Victoria boat cruise reportedly carrying 120 people to a party has capsized leaving multiple people dead.A mass rescue operation is underway after the cruise boat sank while carrying 120 people to a party. The death toll could rise to more than 50 as police said 39 people are unaccounted for. About 70 people have been rescued and 13 people have been found dead. Uganda’s Police Force Marine Unit is searching for survivors.
A-list Ugandan celebrities and Ugandan Prince David Wasajja were onboard the boat, local media reports.
Prince David is brother of King Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda – a kingdom in Uganda.
Father of one Prince David, 52, lived in the UK when he studied at the University of Nottingham.
He is known as a socialite, branded alongside others as one of the ‘Hash Harriers’.
Singer Iryn Namubiru shared pictures from the boat on her Instagram account
It is understood Prince David was among those rescued.
Singer Iryn Namubiru was also on board, but her manager said she was safe.
Rapper The Mith was another passenger on the glamorous cruise.
Passengers were in good spirits when they boarded the boat in Portbell, Luzira, earlier today, and were seen enjoying drinks.
#Uganda: At least 10 people have died after a cruise boat capsized in Lake Victoria on Saturday evening (Nov 24) while more than 40 others were rescued. according to police https://t.co/jcti2QcKwY pic.twitter.com/t6gnwrJ3KR
— Mogadishu Update (@Magdashi3) November 25, 2018
Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest lake, bordering Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Just two months ago 80 people died in the lake when a ferry overturned.
And the disaster comes after 10 people were killed when a boat capsized in 2010. It had been carrying passengers and fish from an island in the lake.
The Uganda Police Force Marine Unit is still searching for survivors and rescue efforts will continue into the night.
The boat had left Portbell, Luzira and was heading to Motola Beach.
Reports claim Prince David Wasajja, a brother to Buganda King Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, singer Iryn Namubiru and rapper The Mith were on the boat.