Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Two drown in Lake Victoria while washing carpet

A section of Lake Victoria in Buikwe district where the two deceased persons drowned  on Monday. PHOTO | DENIS EDEMA

What you need to know:

  • Mr Joseph Kiwanuka, another local resident, explained that instead of washing the carpet by the landing site, the victims ventured to a more isolated part of the lake's shore, where the water is deeper.

Two people have been confirmed dead after drowning in Lake Victoria at Kiyindi Landing Site in Buikwe District.

According to Mr Anatoli Kizza, a resident of Kiyindi Landing Site, the incident occurred on Monday afternoon while the victims were washing a carpet. The deceased have been identified as Julius Kiyingi, 21, and Prince Tuyishime, 14, both residents of Nakawuma Cell, Kiyindi Town Council, Buikwe District. 

A 10-year-old boy, Jothan Gidudu, who was with them, narrowly survived after fishermen rescued him.

“The victims had gone to wash the carpet to earn some money, as children are on holiday,” Mr Kizza said in an interview on Wednesday.

Mr Joseph Kiwanuka, another local resident, explained that instead of washing the carpet by the landing site, the victims ventured to a more isolated part of the lake's shore, where the water is deeper.

“One of them slipped into the water, and the other tried to help, but unfortunately, he also drowned,” Kiwanuka said.

Ssezibwa Police Spokesperson, Ms Hellen Butoto, confirmed the incident, stating that the drowning was reported to the police by Mr Joel Wasswa, a Kiyindi resident. Police, with the help of local fishermen, conducted a search for the victims.

“We have managed to retrieve the bodies and handed them over to the relatives for burial. I urge parents to monitor their children’s activities during this long holiday. They should not be sent out without the company of an adult,” she said.

A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on drowning prevention, released in Kampala last Friday, indicates that Uganda reported 1,332 drowning deaths in 2018. By 2021, WHO global estimates placed the number of deaths at 2,000. 

Data from the Life Saving Association of Uganda, a non-profit organization working on drowning prevention, highlights areas such as Masaka, Jinja, Serere, Mayuge, and Rakai as drowning hotspots. The WHO report also identified significant gaps in water safety measures for young children, including a lack of daycare services to supervise children near water, the absence of swimming and water safety education in schools, insufficient barriers to restrict access to water, and a shortage of lifeguards at public swimming areas.
[email protected]