As global advocates mark World Drowning Prevention Day, Uganda faces mounting concerns over water-related fatalities, with children and adolescents disproportionately affected. While drowning claims an estimated 3 million lives worldwide in the last 10 years, Uganda’s crisis remains shrouded in incomplete data, masking what experts describe as a silent epidemic.
Localized reports reveal recurring tragedies across fishing villages near Lake Victoria, urban settlements with exposed drainage systems, and flood-prone regions. Children fetching water, playing near swamps, or navigating submerged roads during rainy seasons are especially at risk. Police records from lakeside districts such as Wakiso and Kalangala document dozens of annual incidents, though public health specialists argue these figures represent only a fraction of the actual toll, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas.
“The scale of loss is catastrophic, yet preventable,” said Fredrick Oporia of Makerere University’s School of Public Health. “Most victims are under 14—a demographic that shouldn’t be paying this price.” His sentiment echoes broader calls for action, as international agencies like the WHO and UNICEF push African nations to adopt comprehensive prevention strategies.
Grassroots efforts are emerging as a lifeline. In Entebbe, community-led programs teach swimming and rescue techniques to lakeside residents, while Ggaba’s fishermen now routinely use life jackets following safety trainings. Schools in flood-affected zones have begun integrating water safety into lessons. Yet activists stress that isolated measures cannot substitute for systemic change.
Dr. Emmanuel Nsubuga, a Kampala-based public health expert, emphasizes the need for a unified national approach: “From installing barriers around hazardous water bodies to embedding safety education in schools, drowning prevention demands policy-level commitment. These deaths are avoidable—if prioritized.”
This year’s global awareness campaign, themed “Anyone can drown, no one should,” underscores the dual responsibility of governments and communities. With seasonal rains intensifying risks, families are urged to supervise children closely and avoid flooded pathways.
While Uganda’s patchwork of local initiatives offers hope, advocates argue that sustained progress hinges on merging community resilience with robust legislation. As stakeholders worldwide amplify their efforts, the nation’s ability to curb its drowning toll may depend on transforming fragmented actions into a coordinated, life-saving strategy.
