Mutima beach reaps from boat cruise tragedy

The ongoing operation to retrieve MV Templar from Lake Victoria and recover the bodies of the remaining victims has boosted business at Mutima Beach in Mpatta Sub County in Mukono District.
Dozens of people have been flocking Mutima beach to trace missing relatives and to witness the operation to retrieve the wreckage and bodies from the Lake over the past six days. The operation, which involves officers from the Police Marine, UPDF, Works Ministry, fishermen, journalists and the local community entered its seventh day today.
Those involved in the operation have set up base at Mutima beach, which has boosted business. Denis Kyeyune, the Manager Mutima Beach, says they have been making money during week days since the accident occurred, which isn't the case during other times.

He says they are mostly making money from selling food, drinks and accommodation to some of the people who come to witness the operation.
“Since last Saturday when the accident happened, several people have been coming here, mostly witness the operation to retrieve the boat wreckage. There’s a difference in terms sales compared to other days,” he says.

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I had been on the ill-fated boat for parties several times- survivor

Next to him a group of women were joking that "they were on the Titanic" when a portion of the hull abruptly rose out of the lake waters

Currently, one pays between Shs2, 000 and 2,500 to gain access to Mutima beach. According to Kyeyune, they decided to charge people so to generate money to rehabilitate the place after the operation.
"As you can see we have to rehabilitate this place. That's why we charge entrance fees," he says.
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Joseph Kironde, a resident of Buzindere village in Mpatta Sub County, says he came to the beach to witness the rescue operation but was surprised when he was charged entrance fees.

“I started coming here on Wednesday but each time I enter, they ask me Shs2, 000 as entrance fee. I was surprised since we are still mourning our people,” said Kironde.
Paul Kajubi, one of those who went to Mutima beach to witness the operation, faults management for taking advantage of the tragedy to charge them.
"The beach operators are reaping big. I paid Shs2, 000 before I entered. The security guard directed me to use the main gate where they are charging entrance fees," he said.
MV Templar capsized last Saturday last week while ferrying an estimated more than 120 revellers from KK Beach at Ggaba to K Palm Beach in Mpatta Sub County, Mukono District. At least 33 people are confirmed to have died while 27 others were rescued from the waters.