By Ritah Kemigisa
A new report by Makerere University school of Public health has exposed a high burden of drowning death rate in Uganda among young adults whose livelihoods depend on water activities.
The Understanding and Preventing Drowning in Uganda report shows that over 1300 people from 60 Lake and non-lake districts died by drowning between January 1st 2016 and June 30th, 2018
The report however shows that the death records differ from what individuals and district administrative sources give.
For example district administrative sources highlight Kalangala as having the highest death cases at 124, followed by Kampala at while individual sources say 287 people died by drowning in Mayuge followed by Rakai which registered 169 deaths.
In general over 3000 drowning cases were registered during the same period.
According to public health school dean, Dr Rhoda Wanyenze, the highest number of drownings both deaths and survivors occur among young adults 20- 24 years of age.
Dr Wanyenze says most of the drownings are preventable and is now calling for better policies and regulations to ensure safety around water.
According to the WHO, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death; accounting for 7% of all injuries.
