Saudi tourist falls, drowns in Nile while taking selfie

KAYUNGA- A combined team of marine police and local fishermen on Tuesday recovered the body of a Saudi Arabian tourist who drowned in river Nile at the weekend.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Joseph Mugisa, who heads the Police Fire Brigade,said on Monday said that Alsubaie Mathkar drowned on Saturday at Kalagala Falls, in Kangulumira sub-county, Kayunga District, where he had gone with colleagues for a tour.

Mr Mugisa and Mr Jamar Basalirwa the Police Commissioner, Protocol, oversaw the mission to retrieve the body from the roaring falls.

The Mathkar was in company of two colleagues from Saudi Arabia, one Egyptian national and a Ugandan national, a source who requested to remain anonymous said.

Mr Mugisa said Makhkar had spent four days in the country.

Ms Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Regional Police Spokesperson said Makhkar met his fate as he took a a selfie using his mobile phone.

Ms Butoto said, Makhkar, however, slipped and fell in the fast-running water that swept him.

“On Monday we were able to recover one of his shoes near the spot of the accident. This gave us hope and a hint in which exact area we have to search,” Mr Mugisa said.

He said that the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Uganda, Dr Abdallah Alkahtani and his deputy, Mr Bander Alfafi, were on Sunday and Monday at Kalagala Falls as the divers searched.

 He said the two envoys tried to board canoes and join the search teams but were restrained by security.

Makhkar’s body, Mr Mugisa said, was recovered by local fishermen on the banks of River Nile at Mutukula village, about 10 kilometres from the spot where he drowned.

However, there was a fracas  between the fishermen and Saudi Arabian nationals as the former demanded for the Shs5 million reward, which they were reportedly promised by the Saudis, who allegedly wanted to offer Shs2 million.

The fishermen refused to hand over the body until they were paid the full amount.

Two sons of the deceased travelled from Saudi Arabia on Sunday night and camped at the site on Monday and Tuesday.

The body has been taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital, for a post-mortem.

It is not yet clear whether the body would be flown back to Saudi Arabia for burial.

Residents told this reporter that a number of people have drowned at the very spot which has no barrier or sign to warn to visitors.