Pader Man Drowns While Fishing in Drunken State

2 May 2025, 13:22

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Pader, Uganda – May 2, 2025
A wave of grief has swept through Agweng West Village in Pader Sub-county, Pader District after a 50-year-old man drowned in River Agago on Thursday afternoon under tragic circumstances.

The deceased, identified as Otim Charles, reportedly drowned at a local water point known as “Wang Kony Boo”, where he had gone to harvest fish from a set net. His brother, Opoka Peter, told Rapa FM that Otim left home between 1:00 and 2:00 PM, heavily intoxicated.

“He was drunk, and the local community tried to stop him from going near the river, but he insisted,” Opoka said. “Later, when he failed to return home, his son went to the river and found only his clothes, gumboots, and the dog he had taken along.”

The alarm was raised, and on Friday morning, concerned residents organized a search effort. According to Ongwech David, the Local Council One (LCI) chairperson of Agweng West Village, the body was discovered after a long morning search in the waters of River Agago.

The incident was confirmed by the LCIII chairperson of Pader Sub-county, Mr. Okello Charles Kainan, who said he rushed to the scene alongside the Officer-in-Charge of Kilak Corner Police Outpost upon receiving the report.

“This is a painful incident that could have been avoided,” Kainan said. “We urge our people to avoid risky activities such as entering water bodies while under the influence of alcohol.”

Otim Charles is survived by his 45-year-old wife, Adong Rose, and nine children five boys and four girls.

Local authorities have since called for increased community vigilance and awareness to prevent similar tragedies in the future.