The MV Bukoba was a passenger ferry that primarily operated on Lake Victoria, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. On May 21, the ferry was traveling between Mwanza and Bukoba when it encountered suddenly worsening weather conditions. Eyewitness accounts described how the ferry began to list sharply as waves crashed over the deck. Many passengers were not wearing life jackets, and the vessel was reported to have been carrying more than its capacity limit. Just minutes later, the ferry capsized completely, plunging many people into the frigid waters of Lake Victoria.

Rescue efforts were immediate but hampered by the lake’s vast size and poor weather. Local fishermen and nearby communities joined in the search for survivors, but nearly all of those aboard perished in the incident, with estimates putting the death toll close to 1,000. This tragic event became the second deadliest ferry disaster in African history and drew international media attention. The aftermath saw families mourning their lost loved ones while the Tanzanian government faced increased scrutiny regarding maritime safety regulations.

In the wake of the disaster, investigations revealed systemic flaws in ferry operations, including the unsafe overloading of vessels, inadequate safety measures, and a lack of rigorous enforcement of maritime laws. The MV Bukoba tragedy prompted the Tanzanian government to reassess and reform legislation concerning ferry safety to prevent similar incidents in the future.