Reach A Hand Africa premieres ‘Balance the Boat’ docufilm

What the report says

Reach A Hand Africa has premiered a new documentary titled “Balance the Boat” in Kampala, using the film to revisit the November 2018 MV Templer boat tragedy on Lake Victoria and to promote water safety and drowning prevention. The screening took place on Friday, 23 October 2026, at Kampala Serena Hotel and brought together survivors, government officials, filmmakers and water safety advocates.

According to The Independent Uganda, the docufilm focuses on the human impact of the capsizing, which killed more than 30 people, and on lessons around passenger safety, emergency preparedness and accountability. Survivors who appeared on a panel said the incident changed how they approach water travel and reinforced the need for life jackets and safer boat operations. The film also highlights practical survival skills and the role of both individual caution and regulated transport systems.

Reach A Hand Africa said the documentary supports its broader Omanyi Okuwuga drowning prevention campaign, which is active in Masaka, Mayuge and Rakai, with planned expansion to Soroti and Serere. The organisation said its community work includes swimming lessons and water safety training. Officials from the Marine Police and the Ministry of Works and Transport also acknowledged gaps in emergency response and said efforts are under way to improve rescue capacity on major water bodies.

The report adds that drowning remains a public health concern in Uganda, citing Makerere University School of Public Health research on the scale of the problem. The documentary will be available on Kwiso TV through the MTN TV app.