Three dead after truck plunges into Lake Victoria 

Three people drowned after a truck they were traveling plunged into Lake Victoria in Namayingo District on Sunday evening, while nine survivors were rushed to various health facilities in Mutumba, Namayingo town council and Dabani hospital in Busia District. 

The incident occurred at Bumeru ‘B’ Landing Site, Mutumba sub-county in Namayingo District, according to Ms Diana Nandaula, the Busoga East Police Spokesperson, who identified the deceased as Ngobi Waiswa, Ivan Okumu and Henry Mayende.
 
The Mutumba LC3 chairperson, Mr Katibu Mugoya, identified some of the survivors, who are admitted at the various health facilities, as; Nasiri Muyima, Muzaham Musinge, Wakabi Magumba, and Suha Habibu. 

Police say the deceased had been carrying out a music drive for a local Musician-cum-comedian, one Dikula, who was supposed to stage his show at Mulombi ‘A’ Landing Site. Subsequently, the show, which was supposed to take place last evening, could not proceed after the comedian got injured.
 

According to Ms Nandaula, the truck registration number UAY233S was in a poor mechanical condition. “We suspect that the vehicle was in a poor mechanical condition, that is why it failed to ascend the slope from the landing site,” she said. 

Mr Alex Oundo, a resident of Bumeru Landing Site, said the group had “successfully carried out their advertisement”, but as they drove away, the brake system of the truck failed and it rolled back, plunging into Lake Victoria.
 

He said nine people were rescued on the spot from the lake and rushed to health facilities in Mutumba, and Namayingo, while those who were in critical condition were taken to Dabani hospital in Busia District.
 
Ms Betty Nabwire, the Mutumba female district councilor, said two bodies had been retrieved from the lake, while the third victim died while being taken to the hospital.
 
She added that the truck was carrying over 15 people during the drive when the unfortunate incident happened. 

By press time, the truck was still in Lake Victoria at Bumeru Landing Site, as Police, led by the District Police Commander, called for a crane to pull it out.

At Dabani hospital where two patients were brought last evening, Dr. Dennis Ongarachi, the in-charge, said they had been brought in at the facility, but one died upon arrival. 

He said: “We received two patients, but one of them died on arrival, while a patient is undergoing treatment and is recovering steadily,” he said, adding that another patient is unconscious as he has water in his lungs and suffered low oxygen.