Narrow Escape on Lake Victoria: 20 Survive Deadly Boat Collision in Midnight Horror

In the early hours of Sunday, a near-tragic accident was narrowly averted when two boats collided on Lake Victoria between Buvuma Islands and Lolwe Island in Uganda’s Namayingo District, leaving 20 people lucky to be alive.

The crash, which occurred around 3:00am on August 19, involved a passenger boat ferrying merchandise and people, and another vessel carrying sand and 10 occupants.

According to ASP Godfrey Luyiga, the Officer in Charge of Bukooli Island, the collision took place at a point known as Lineila in the Buvuma Island chain. One of the boats, heavily laden with sand, sank almost instantly upon impact.

Thankfully, all passengers aboard were successfully rescued by the occupants of the second boat.

“The accident was a result of poor visibility and non-compliance with marine safety regulations. Neither of the boats had navigation lights, making it difficult for them to see each other in the dark,” ASP Luyiga explained.

Police noted that despite a nationwide ban on night travel across Lake Victoria due to safety concerns, many boat operators continue to flout the regulation, risking their lives and those of their passengers.

Mr. Bosco Nyebenza, the LC3 Chairman of Lolwe Sub-county, confirmed that all rescued individuals were taken safely to Gorofa Landing Site on Lolwe Island. Several of the survivors received first aid treatment and medical checks after the traumatic experience.

He added, “It’s a miracle that everyone survived. Given the history of fatal incidents on the lake, we could have lost many lives today.”

This incident comes just two weeks after a devastating accident on the same lake where an overloaded passenger boat carrying 34 people capsized, killing more than 20.

That tragedy was attributed to bad weather, lack of life jackets, and overloading—factors that continue to haunt Uganda’s inland water transport system.

Authorities are now renewing calls for stricter enforcement of maritime regulations, especially the prohibition of night movements.

They are also urging boat owners to install functional lighting systems and ensure that all passengers wear life jackets before embarking on any journey