About 30 people, players of a small, local football team and supporters, were killed on Sunday when the boat they were riding plunged into Lake Albert in western Uganda, as it became known today by the police authorities of the country.
"There was a party on the boat, passengers were dancing and some were drunk. He was overloaded with 45 people. All of them were members of the football team and their local followers" explained the commander of the local police, John Routagkira.
The tragedy happened when the players and their friends all gathered together on one side of the vessel, which turned over. "It sank and 30 people drowned," added Routagkira, stating that the weather conditions were good. The 15 passengers were rescued by police and fishermen. The victims were from the village Kaoueimpanta in the province of Bouliisa. The group was to give a friendly football match in the neighboring province Hoima during the holidays. This is the second maritime disaster occurs within a few days in Uganda lakes. Last Friday, about 20 people drowned in much the same way to Lake Victoria while returning from the island Boukasa.