Nine-year-old boy drowns in Lake Victoria while swimming
Lake Victoria in Uganda. PHOTO/FILE/AFP
What you need to know:
- The incident comes at a time when marine police unit is still on a search mission on the same lake to recover missing bodies of the people who perished when the boat they were traveling in capsized due to the strong winds on August 2.
A nine-year old pupil of Busabala Primary School on Wednesday drowned during a swimming activity along the shores of Lake Victoria in Busabala-Kazi zone, Makindye Ssabagabo Division, Wakiso District, Police has said.
According to Mr Luke Oweyesigyire, the deputy police spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan, the victim was identified as Moses Kusasira who had gone for swimming together with his six-year old sister, Joy Angel Namanya, who is also a pupil of the same school.
"At approximately 1:30 PM on August 9, 2023, Kibiri Police Station received information from an anonymous source regarding a suspected drowning incident on Lake Victoria. The police promptly responded to the scene," Mr Oweyesigyire said.
"Tragically, Kusasira Moses drowned during their swimming activity, despite strong warnings from their father, Kyakuwa Moses, a 46-year-old boda boda rider, against swimming in the absence of an adult," he added.
The scene of the incident was examined, documented and sketched by police while the body of the deceased was conveyed to the city mortuary for postmortem examination.
The deceased’s sister is currently receiving medical treatment at Mulago Hospital.
"Police urge the public, especially parents and guardians, to be cautious when children engage in water-related activities and to ensure their safety by providing proper supervision," Mr Oweyesigyire said.
The incident comes at a time when marine police unit is still on a search mission on the same lake to recover missing bodies of the people who perished when the boat they were traveling in capsized due to the strong winds on August 2.
It is estimated that about 25 passengers were on the ill-fated boat but police have so far recovered 15 bodies in the ongoing search mission.
Mr Ubaldo Bamunoba, the commander of police marine unit, earlier told this publication that two families are still stuck at Kasenyi landing site, waiting to receive the remains of the their relatives who they suspect to have been among the water accident victims.
