Retracing the MV Templar voyage – What went wrong?

It, however, remains unclear, how many people were rescued because the operators do not have a clear record of how many were on board. The police record indicates that only 27 of those rescued can be accounted for. They include, among others, Prince David Wasajja, Musician Irene Namubiru, Francis Senkeezi, Farooq Muzimba, Andrew Luziba, Joseph Kirimenzi, Mark Sseremba, Freeman Kiyimba, Brian Jjuuko, Iryna Namutebi, Justin Tashobya and one only identified as Twesigye, among others.

Five families have so far come out to claim that their relatives are still missing. They include Kakooza peter of Masaka, Namutebi Sylvia of Kisunga, Musisi Godfrey of Kabalagala, and Ssenyonga Andrew of Kisekka.

But Marine Officers say that there was a possibility of saving more people if the tight procedure was followed even as the boat was capsizing. According to Marine Officer Novat Mukajanga, when a passenger boat is capsizing, the captain is expected to guide all passengers and crew members aboard depending on the situation.

“In this situation, the captain first informs his crew and a decision is taken on how to control panic among the passengers. If the situation worsens, the captain hoots three times and orders the crew to distribute safety gear to all passengers. Afterwards, the captain advises all people on board to disembark to a rescue boat or on the lake since the vessel is insecure. He is expected to disembark last.”

But our investigation indicates that Templar’s vessel did not have enough safety vests neither did it have a rescue boat.

Abraham Sbeity, an independent Marine Consultant in Entebbe says he had never seen a passenger boat built and managed like MV Templar was.

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