Ugandans urged to prioritise water safety

22 July 2025, 2:49 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

Uganda is grappling with alarming drowning rates, with men and children being the most vulnerable. Statistics reveal that 8 out of 10 drowning victims in Uganda are male, particularly around lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water.

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Uganda among the countries with the highest drowning rates globally, recording an estimated 502 deaths per 100,000 people living near lakes. Nationwide, Uganda loses approximately 35,000 people to drowning every year — a concerning figure compared to the 320,000 annual global deaths from drowning.

Despite these grim statistics, experts warn that Uganda’s policy framework remains inadequate. The Island Water Transport Safety Act, enacted in 2021, is still weak in enforcing safety regulations, especially regarding vessel standards and life-saving equipment such as life jackets. This legislative gap leaves many water users exposed to preventable risks.

During a press conference for Drowning Prevention Day, to be commemorated on 25 July 2025, Ms Joanita Afoyorwoth of the Justice for Development Council (JDC) emphasised the need to use the media as a tool to raise awareness of drowning prevention. “We thank the United Nations for the theme, ‘Telling Stories About Drowning,’ which underscores the role of communication in saving lives,” she said.

Afoyorwoth also highlighted JDC’s efforts to empower the media, noting that in the past two months alone, they have trained 54 journalists on ethical and impactful reporting around drowning prevention. “We hope this will increase responsible coverage and amplify life-saving messages,” she added.

Experts recommend enforcing strict regulations on boat sizes and safety standards, ensuring all passengers wear life jackets, promoting swimming and survival skills in water-prone communities, and scaling up awareness campaigns, especially on social media.