By Ritah Atukwatse
Mitooma,
An elderly woman from Mitooma District, identified as Ntegyerize Allen survived a tragic fall into River Rwikanzi, 25 years after she nearly drowned.
The incident happened in 2000 as she was returning from a celebration party hosted by her brother, known locally as “Okwaruka.” With no bridge in place, people were jumping across the river to get to the other side.
When Allen saw men successfully jumping across, she also decided to try. However, her umbrella slipped and fell into the water. In an attempt to recover it, she followed it into the river.
Sadly, she hit her teeth on the river stones and lost two of them. She began swallowing water and nearly drowned before being rescued by Bakizire, Tumusime, and other men who were nearby.
Her fellows pressed her stomach and she vomited the water she had taken, she almost drowned and lost her sight and teeth. Now in her 80s, Allen is still struggling with her health. She can’t see very well.
She is calling on the government to construct bridges across rivers like Rwikanzi to protect other people from similar accidents.
“I ask the government to help us by building bridges and also support me with treatment for my eyes,” she said. “It’s been 25 years ever since l lost my sight and my teeth” , she added
