Kampala, Uganda: The Ministry of Works and Transport has urged residents of Kampala and other urban centres to acquire swimming skills as a critical last line of defence against drowning, amid a sharp rise in urban flooding and related fatalities.
Speaking ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, Dr. Charles Luzige, the Assistant Commissioner for Maritime Monitoring, stressed the growing need for personal preparedness, especially for residents living in flood-prone areas of the city.
“While government efforts to mitigate flooding are ongoing, residents must take responsibility for their safety. Swimming is a vital life-saving skill — the final option when disaster strikes,” Dr. Luzige told journalists.
He said the government is establishing search and rescue centres across Uganda, linked to a national hub in Entebbe, to boost emergency response capacity. “We also want to empower communities to take part in rescue efforts. People must stay alert to weather forecasts and make water safety a personal priority,” he added.
Dr. Luzige noted that drainage upgrades are underway in Kampala hotspots such as Meat Packers and the Clock Tower to alleviate recurrent flooding.
Additionally, a national study on drowning risks has informed the establishment of rescue centres in Panyimur, Kaisotonya, and Lake Kyoga. High-risk districts identified include Mayuge, Masaka, Serere, Kyotera, Soroti, and Rakai.
Drowning Now a Silent Public Health Crisis
Dr. Frederick Oporia, Executive Director of the Trauma and Injury Control Centre at Makerere University School of Public Health, described drowning as Uganda’s silent public health crisis.
“By the end of each day, at least eight people will have drowned. That translates to **3,000 drowning deaths annually,” Dr. Oporia revealed. “Compared to Covid-19, HIV/Aids, and malaria, drowning has quietly emerged as one of the top three causes of death in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past three years.”
A 2021 study by Makerere’s School of Public Health found that 3,500 drowning deaths were recorded across 74 districts within just two and a half years — averaging 1,400 deaths annually.
In March this year, seven people died in Kampala after flash floods swept through parts of the city. Other recent incidents have involved residents falling into open drainage channels during heavy rains, highlighting the lethal consequences of poor urban infrastructure and a widespread lack of water safety knowledge.
Youth Advocates Call for Action
Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of Reach A Hand Uganda, confirmed the organisation will join global efforts to mark World Drowning Prevention Day this Friday, in line with the United Nations’ designation.
“Drowning is a preventable tragedy, but we need more awareness. Teaching people to swim could save countless lives,” Nabimanya said.
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