Act now to prevent drowning and save lives

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OPINION

By Benson Muhindo

The devastating news of three children drowning in Lake Victoria as reported by the New Vision on February 12, 2025, reminds us why this conversation - water safety matters must never fade into the background.

In the heart-breaking story: a 12-year-old in primary four, an eight-year-old in primary two, and a five-year-old—all from the same village in Namatale parish, Buvuma district—lost their lives to the very waters that sustain their community.

According to the report, the children asked their mother, Allen Kulabako, for permission to go to the lake and wash clothes in preparation for school. Despite her refusal, the children took their laundry and made their way to the shores when their parents left to go buy silverfish. By 1:00 pm, tragedy had struck.

Tragedy would strike shortly after, leaving only one child, nine-year-old Scovia Nabutema, who survived after residents came to help rescue the children. The others drowned while chasing balloons that had been blown into deeper waters.

These are not isolated incidents. There are countless heart-breaking stories of lives lost helplessly—tragedies that could have been prevented.

Drowning is a silent epidemic—one that often goes unnoticed until it hits the news. The World Health Organisation ranks drowning as the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths worldwide, accounting for approximately 370,000 fatalities each year. Nearly 45% of these victims are under the age of 20.

In Uganda, where fishing is a primary livelihood, the risk is even greater. Despite spending their lives around water, many Ugandan lakeshore dwellers cannot swim.

The Makerere School of Public Health study attests that between January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018, alone, over 1,435 fatal and non-fatal drowning cases were recorded in over 60 districts with nearly 9 out of every 10 drowning victims being male.

It is a cruel irony that those whose survival depends on the lake are the ones most vulnerable to it. Between January 2016 and June 2018, Uganda recorded over 1,435 fatal and non-fatal drowning cases across 60 districts—nearly 90% of the victims were male.

There is a common assumption that people who live near water should instinctively know how to stay safe. But survival isn’t always about common sense—it is often about circumstance.

Many lakeside residents have no choice but to engage in high-risk activities. Whether fetching water, washing clothes, or seeking medical attention, their daily lives are dictated by the lake.

It is at this point where the government is pointed at. Drowning prevention is not just about individual responsibility; it is about creating a system that prioritizes safety. The government must provide essential infrastructure, such as proper docking points, safe water transport, and accessible healthcare services.

Many drownings occur when people attempt to cross treacherous waters to access hospitals, schools, or markets. If alternative routes and reliable transport were available, many of these tragedies could be avoided.

Not long ago, Reach A Hand Uganda premiered ‘Unpredictable Waters’ - a film that sheds light on the harsh realities faced by lakeside communities - which also tells a harrowing story of a mother and her child who lost the toddler in search of medical treatment on a fateful night.

The baby had an unrelenting fever, and with no healthcare facility nearby, the mother had no choice but to board a boat. The waters were calm at first, but soon, the boat began to wobble dangerously. The rest is tragedy.

Even pharmacies in some of these areas are powerless—medication is scarce due to supply chain disruptions caused by limited transport options.

Take Simwe Island in Mayuge District, for example. With a population of 282 people, medical supplies can take months to arrive, and emergencies depend entirely on the mercy of the weather.

The government has made commendable efforts in building roads across the country, but now it must extend that same urgency to water transport.

To reduce the risk of drowning, boats need to be certified; life jackets have to be ISO certified and having reliable ferry services is as vital as roads and bridges construction.

With only 12 government-owned vessels serving Uganda’s vast water bodies and transporting over five million people annually, the demand for quality expansion is undeniable. Equally crucial is enforcing strict quality standards and inspections for life jackets to ensure safety is never compromised on the waterways.

Preventing tragedies like those of Kulabako’s children requires more than just goodwill—it demands systemic change.

Communities need access to proper water safety equipment, well-regulated transport services, and a cultural shift in how we view drowning prevention.

A mandatory swimming and water safety training program for fishermen may sound unusual, but it could be the very thing that saves lives. Enforcing life jacket regulations and ensuring their affordability is equally crucial.

As we mark the water and environment week, it is an opportunity to reflect on the gaps that need to be filled to reduce the drowning risk faced by lakeside dwellers and all Ugandans.

The writer is, Acting Country Director, Reach A Hand, Uganda