By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
MUKONO
A 21-year-old senior six student at Seeta High School Mukono has lost life after he drowned in a school swimming pool, police reported.
The victim, Kevin Nsamba reportedly drowned when he went to swim after participating in a football match with fellow students on Sunday evening at around 5pm.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kmapala Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the incident occurred when the victim together with other students had rushed to the pool area, where a swimming session was taking place under the supervision of a lifeguard.
“At the time, there were trainees in the pool which was under the supervision of a trainer,” Owoyesigyire said. “Nsamba reportedly jumped into the deep end of the pool.”
Owoyesigyire noted that fellow students noticed that Nsamba was missing later in the evening after a night movie session, prompting an immediate search.
On Monday, the school principal alerted police about the student’s disappearance which responded swiftly at around midday. Nsamba’s body was discovered in the pool, and a case of suspected drowning was registered at Mbalala Police Station and later referred to Mukono Police Station.
Body was retrieved and taken to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Meanwhile, the pool trainer (identity not disclosed) was arrested to assist in the ongoing police investigations. Police says that a CCTV footage has been retrieved for review as part of the inquiries.
Drowning is the number one cause of death for children aged 1-4 years, third leading cause of death among children aged 5-14 years, and 12th among teenagers and youth aged 15-29 years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 236,000 people drown annually worldwide, with developing countries like Uganda accounting for more than 90% deaths.
As if that’s not enough, a Makerere University School of Public Health report, shows that over 3,000 death occur in Uganda annually, representing an average of 9 people per day.
Experts into drowning say that drowning can happen anywhere from large waterbodies like Oceans, Seas, Lakes and Rivers to smaller waterbodies like ponds, streams, and in homesteads like in swimming pools, basins, and it affects everyone.
Organizations such as Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), Justice Development Council (JDC), Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Design Without Borders, and Safe Transport and Survivors Support Uganda (STASSU) have dedicated themselves to promoting water safety, drowning prevention , quality water safety equipment for example Personal Floatation Devices, technology solutions, and policy recommendations in Uganda. This has been done through community engagements, especially in the 14 districts areas nearing water bodies which are prone to drowning. They include Mayuge, Kalangala, Mukono, Masaka, Jinja, Serere and Rakai among others.
Swimming lessons have also been introduced to schools courtesy of RAHU and partners under their campaign, “#OmanyiOkuwuga” “#TulwanyiseOkubbira” to create awareness on drowning prevention, with hopes to integrate this into the national curriculum. Benson Muhindo, Head of Programs commended Uganda for accurate data collection on drowning but emphasized the need for increased awareness and action for change.
“We must lead in awareness and action because accurate, timely communication can save lives and together, we can realize the change we want to see in the fight against drowning,” said Muhindo.
He was speaking at the celebration of World Drowning Prevention Day at Speke Resort Munyonyo on July 25.
