Buganda prince David Wasajja has after a long time of silence responded to critics who since the MV Templar boat tragedy last November have castigated as reckless the people who were on board the ill-fated cruiser.
Speaking yesterday at a thanksgiving mass for the tragedy survivors at Mutima Beach, Mukono, the Buganda prince let out a series of rhetorical questions for the critics who have since the boat accident labelled him and everyone who was on the boat as reckless.
“Did you want us to check the engines of the boat before it set off? Are we engineers? Do passengers ask to know whether the plane is fit to fly before they board? I keep wondering when I hear people condemn us as reckless,” Prince Wasajja said in an emotional message when he took to the microphone.
The prince was one of several survivors of the November 2018 boat accident who took to the microphone to say a word at the end of the thanksgiving mass,many of whom yet again narrated their miraculous escape from death.
Among other things, the gathered accident survivors pledged to give back to the local community that rescued their lives. Particularly, they offered to renovate the local church and two local schools in Mubanda Parish, Mpata Sub-county, as a sign of gratitude to the locals for saving their lives.
Other high-profile survivors who attended the function included princes Brian Jjuuko and Arnold Ssimbwa, as well as businessmen Freeman Kiyimba and John Micheal Kaddu. Others included Nsubuga Tashobya, Irene Namutebi, Roger Mugisha, Francis Ssenkeezi, Sarah Katima, Shaffick Sentamu, Edmound Bamuje and Kathure Ennedy.
Speaking on behalf of the survivors, John Micheal Kaddu said that the team had decided to support St.Ponsiano Primary School, Mubanda and Mubanda Catholic School.
“It is going to be a collective effort and many of our friends have already pledged materials towards this cause. We hope by December both the school and church will have a better look.” Kaddu said.
The fishermen who were represented by Swaibu Kiyaga showed their dismay in the survivors. Kiyaga said that the fishermen were not happy with the survivors’ response to the family of the late Owecho who passed on while rescuing them.
Father Pius Kibunga , the main celebrant, urged the survivors to keep the spirit of thanksgiving and also pray for those who died to be welcomed by God in Paraside.