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’.
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.
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.