ZOMBO
A 22-year-old mother in Zombo district lost her life over the weekend following a drowning incident while she washed her clothes on the banks of a local stream.
The incident occured on Sunday October 26th 2025, in the morning.
Drowning is a major public health crisis in Uganda, claiming approximately 3,000 lives annually, with average death estimated at 9 per day.
The deceased, identified as Scovia Dwong Paa Mungu, a resident of Limu Cell, Padea Town Council in Zombo District. She was allegedly doing laundry on the banks of River Leda when she slipped off the banks and was swept away by the fast running water.
The Limu LCI Chairperson, Dick Thumi confirmed the incident saying the deceased struck her head on a rock before being pulled under.
“Scovia was found lifeless in Leda Stream around 8 a.m.,” said Dick Thumi
“She had gone to wash clothes with her child when she slipped, hit her head on a rock, and was swept away.”
Thumi added that they were alerted by the deceased child who rushed to report the incident to community members.
“We rushed to the scene, but she had already been claimed by the waters.”
Police was notified about the incident and managed to retrieve Scovia’s body with the help of the locals.
“We notified the police, who immediately began investigations at the scene. The body was later carried to her ancestral home,” said Melki Onyutha Orwothuwun, the area LC3 Chairperson.
The body was handed over to relatives for burial.
Drowning is a major public health crisis in Uganda, claiming approximately 3,000 lives annually, with average death estimated at 9 per day. Uganda is also one of the countries with the highest drowning death rates globally.
