The number of drowning cases in Uganda dropped by 19 in 2024, yet it remains the most significant water-related offence recorded, according to the latest Uganda Police Annual Crime Report.
A total of 190 maritime offences were documented in 2024, marking an 8% increase from 176 cases in 2023.
"Drowning led with 119 cases followed by robbery on the water with 34 cases," the report says.
Despite the reduction from 138 drowning cases in 2023, the report highlights the persistent severity of the issue.
Robbery on the water was the second most common offence with 34 cases, followed by armed robbery and boat capsizing, each with six incidents.
This means that drowning contributed a whopping 62% cases of incidents on water bodies in the country.
In 2023, Marine Police recorded 138 people drowned in Uganda. This figure was more than 65% of all incidents handled by the Maritime Police.
The report says the majority of the maritime cases were committed on Lake Victoria with 130 cases followed by Lake Albert with 17 cases and Kyoga with 14 cases as shown in the table below.
A disturbing trend emerged in July, which saw the highest number of drowning casualties—17—while June recorded the lowest with just four fatalities.
This discrepancy remains unexplained by the authorities but could be linked to weather patterns or increased water activities during the mid-year period.
The most cases of drowning - 73 - were reported on Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, with a surface area of 68,800 square kilometres. It's also the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater body in the world.
Lakes Albert (14) and Kyoga, 13, followed, with the rivers seeing seven cases over the year.
Offences recorded:
- Drowning 119
- Robbery 34
- Armed Robbery 06
- Boat Capsizing 06
- Wild Animals 07
Murder 04
- Theft 09
- Assault 01
- Aggravated Defilement 02
- Abduction 01
- Child Neglect 01
Drowning has emerged as a pressing public health concern in Uganda, claiming an alarming average of nine lives daily, according to a 2024 report by the Makerere University School of Public Health.
This translates to over 3,000 deaths annually, placing Uganda among the countries with some of the highest drowning rates globally.
The report reveals that the majority of drowning victims in Uganda are aged between 5 and 25, with most incidents occurring in rural and peri-urban areas.
Globally, drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Uganda.
In Uganda, drowning remains an incident rather than a public health issue - leaving its management and attention at the footnote of national efforts.
However, last November, the Commissioner for International and Transboundary Water Affairs at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Engineer Sowed Sewagude, called for collective action in addressing the rising cases of drowning deaths which have become a silent epidemic in Uganda.
Speaking during the launch of the Drowning Prevention Project t, Eng Sewagude called for a united effort in enforcing water safety measures and promoting the education of children so they are cautious around water bodies.
“The government of Uganda remains committed to creating safer communities for all and I hope this Drowning Prevention Project will inspire more initiatives and partnerships for drowning prevention and water safety,” Eng Sewagude said.
His message coincided with the launch of a new programme spearheaded by Reach A Hand Uganda, in collaboration with the Makerere School of Public Health, Design Without Borders, and the Ministry of Water and Environment, to combat these alarming statistics through education, policy reform, and community engagement.
The initiative seeks to equip communities—particularly youth and fishermen—with lifesaving skills and tools to curb water-related deaths.
Mr Benon Muhindo, acting country director of Reach A Hand Uganda, said they were deeply concerned about the increasing reports of drowning, particularly among young people.
"This is not just a statistic; these are lives lost," Mr Muhindo said. "The government’s intervention is crucial, but the role of partners cannot be overstated."
Dr Fredrick Oporia, of Makerere School of Public Health, said many of the cases of drowning are not documented.
The Police's Annual Crime Report only captures cases recorded at their posts, meaning there are equally many that are never reported to police but only go into the media.
For instance, this publication reported at least six cases of drowning on Lake Bunyonyi, which straddles Kigezi in the southwestern swathes of the country.
In March 2024, a mother and her five-month-old baby as well as another woman drowned in a boat accident on Lake Bunyonyi.
Dr Oporia stressed the critical role of survival swimming training and life jacket use. However, he acknowledged the inconsistency in the quality of life jackets available locally.
“Even a poor-quality life jacket that keeps someone afloat for an hour is better than nothing,” Dr Oporia said, urging for their use alongside efforts to improve quality standards.
Last December, the World Health Orgnaisation (WHO) released its first global drowning report in 10 years.
The report, titled the "Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention," said 92% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where the death rate from drowning is 3.2 times higher than wealthier nations.
WHO estimates that, every hour, 30 people die from drowning. For these reasons, the WHO continues to classify drowning as a major public health issue.
Despite the ongoing efforts, the fight against drowning in Uganda remains a work in progress, and experts stress that continued education, government intervention, and community involvement are crucial to reversing these alarming statistics.