Police in Mityana Municipality have launched investigations into the drowning of a six-year-old girl who was swept away by floodwaters during a heavy downpour, a tragedy that has shocked residents and highlighted the dangers posed by flooding and open drainage channels.
The deceased has been identified as Nagayi Shifah, a pupil at Hilton Primary School and daughter of Kibirige Sulaiman and Namata Hadijah, residents of Buswabulongo Ward in Busimbi Division, Mityana Municipality.
According to preliminary police findings, the incident occurred on Saturday, June 6, 2026, following heavy rainfall that caused drainage channels across the municipality to overflow with fast-moving water.
Investigators say Shifah joined several other children from the neighbourhood who had gone outside to play in the rain and floodwaters, a common practice in many communities during heavy downpours.
Wamala Region Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi said the child was eventually overwhelmed by the strong currents and swept into a drainage channel.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the child joined her friends to play in running rainwater following a heavy downpour. Unfortunately, the force of the water swept her into a drainage channel where she tragically lost her life,” SSP Kigozi said.
Residents and family members immediately launched a search after realising the child was missing. Her body was later recovered after water levels subsided several hours later.
Police officers attached to the Mityana homicide unit visited the scene, documented evidence and transported the body to the mortuary for a postmortem examination as investigations continue.
The incident has renewed concerns about the dangers associated with flooding, particularly in urban areas where blocked or open drainage systems can quickly become hazardous during periods of heavy rainfall.
Police have appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor children during adverse weather conditions and to discourage them from playing near floodwaters and drainage channels.
“What may appear to be harmless play can quickly turn into a fatal situation. Parents and guardians should ensure that children remain indoors during heavy rains and avoid areas with fast-moving water,” Kigozi cautioned.
He added that playing in floodwaters exposes children to numerous risks, including drowning, injuries caused by strong currents, waterborne diseases, and lightning strikes.
“We urge members of the public across Mityana and the wider Wamala Region to remain vigilant during adverse weather conditions. Preventing such tragedies requires collective responsibility from parents, communities and local leaders,” he said.
Residents have also called for increased public awareness campaigns on child safety during the rainy season, while local leaders have been urged to improve drainage safety measures and strengthen community sensitisation efforts.
The tragedy comes at a time when several parts of Uganda continue to experience heavy rains that have triggered flooding, damaged property and disrupted livelihoods in both urban and rural communities.
As investigations continue, the death of young Shifah serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by floodwaters and the importance of close supervision of children during extreme weather conditions.