By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu and Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
MBARARA
Two students, one from Mbarara Secondary School and another from Mbarara Army Boarding Secondary School, tragically drowned in River Rwizi on Thursday evening.
The duo, yet to be identified had gone to the river for swimming when the unfortunate incident occurred.
Efforts to rescue the students were unsuccessful, and both were pronounced dead at the scene. Local authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Drowning cases are on rise in Uganda, particularly in lakeside districts and areas with rivers, ponds among others.
The world health organization (WHO), reports that over 320,000 lives are lost to drowning per year, globally. Additionally , WHO ranks Uganda among countries with highest drowning cases in the world, with 502 deaths in every 100,000 people residing in the lakeside areas.
A recent study by Makerere School of Public Health shows that over 1,435 fatal and non-fatal drowning cases were recorded in over 60 districts between January, 2016, to June, 2018.
The study further revealed that nearly 3,000 people die from drowning annually in Uganda, an average of 9 deaths per day.
Speaking at the training of journalists on drowning prevention on Wednesday (April 30), Charles Ruzigye, Assistant Commissioner in charge of safety navigations at the Ministry of Works and Transport, said the government is working on a national drowning prevention strategy to prevent and reduce drowning cases in the country.
“We are working on a national drowning prevention strategy to enforce safety standards especially for communities near water bodies,” Ruzigye stated.
According to Ruzigye, the strategic plan is expected to recognize drowning as a public health issue, offer support to drowning survivors serving as peer trainers, sensitize the public about the safe use of life jackets, drowning prevention and water safety.
Ruzigye says the document will be launched during the drowning week in July, 2025.
