By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
BUSHENYI
A 77-year-old woman has died in a suspected drowning incident after her body was discovered in a water pond.
The deceased is Jadrace Nyinesafari, a resident of Kijumo II Cell, Kabale Parish, Kakanju Sub-county in Bushenyi District. She reportedly left her home on the night of June 9, 2026, and could not be traced despite efforts by relatives and community members to search for her.
According to police, local authorities received information at about 5:00pm on June 10, 2026, that a body had been found in a water pond in the area.
Greater Bushenyi Regional Police spokesperson SP Tayebwa Apollo said initial examination of the body showed no visible injuries.
“Investigations are ongoing, and police are awaiting the postmortem report to establish the exact cause of death and circumstances surrounding the incident,” Tayebwa said.
Relatives told police that the deceased had reportedly been battling a mental health condition for about 10 years.
Police responded, retrieved the body and conveyed it to KIU Teaching Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination
SP Tayebwa urged members of the public to closely monitor and support vulnerable people, especially the elderly, children, persons living with disabilities and those facing mental health challenges.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over drowning deaths, which remain a major public health challenge globally. Uganda records between 3,000 and 3,500 drowning death annually, with rural and lakeside communities among the most affected areas.
Globally, an estimated 300,000 people die from drowning every year, equating to over 30 deaths every hour. It is a leading, yet largely neglected, public health threat worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies drowning as a largely preventable cause of death, with children, young adults and people in low-income communities facing higher risks.
