Student drowns in River Malaba

Police and community members gather at the spot where a 22-year-old student of Tororo Technical Institute Mella, Stephen Enapat slid before he drowned in River Malaba on October 19, 2019. PHOTO BY JOSEPH OMOLLO

Rescuers on Sunday mounted a desperate search for the body of a 22-year-old student of Tororo Technical Institute Mella who drowned in River Malaba on Saturday.

Stephen Enapat who was pursuing building and construction drowned on Saturday at around 11.30 am after he reportedly slid into the river where he was trying to wash his legs in the company of two other colleagues.

Enapat’s friends tried to rescue him but were reportedly overpowered by the fast-running water that eventually washed him away.
They had gone to clean themselves after weeding a maize garden established under their umbrella body Teso Students’ Development Association at the institute.

The search for his body is being jointly conducted by police and the community members.
The school Principal Daniel Mwesigwa said: “It’s unfortunate that even
last Friday, we had an assembly where we requested each student to be
extra careful with whatever they are doing because examinations are
nearing.’’

Nekemiah Opolot, a student who witnessed the incident said they had cautioned him against getting into the deep water.
However, Enapat’s mother, Ms Ruth Among said: ''We still don't believe that Enapat is dead until we see his body.”