Lake Bunyonyi Drowning Incidents Claim Six Lives in Recent Months

A man identified as Laurensio Safari, a resident of Kagunga Village in Rubanda District, went missing on Saturday, November 7, 2026, after drowning in Lake Bunyonyi. According to Johnson Ntumooha, a resident of the area, Safari was returning from Kabere in Muko Sub-county after transporting some residents when his dugout canoe capsized, throwing him into the water. Efforts by marine police and residents to recover his body have so far been unsuccessful.

This incident comes barely a month after another drowning incident involving a nine-year-old girl, Prossy Akoragye, in the same lake. Akoragye, the daughter of Alex Tushabomwe and Annah Busingye, residents of Kagugo Village in Kabale District, drowned in early October 2026. The girl's death raised concerns about water safety on the lake, particularly among children and residents who depend on it for transport and fishing.

On October 3, 2026, Samuel Amanya, a 22-year-old Senior Four student at Lake Bunyonyi Senior Secondary School in Kabale District, also drowned in the lake while attempting to swim across it. Amanya reportedly decided to swim after failing to find the canoe he had used to travel to Itambira Island. These incidents have highlighted the risks associated with Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda's major tourist attractions in the southwestern region.

According to reports, many residents depend on the lake for transport and fishing, often without life jackets or other safety equipment. The lake has recorded several drowning incidents involving children, students, and adults in recent months, raising concerns about water safety. In August alone, two incidents of drowning were reported on the lake.

The police have not yet issued an official statement on the latest incident, but efforts to recover Safari's body are ongoing. The incident has sparked fears about the safety of residents and tourists on the lake, particularly during the peak tourist season. Authorities are yet to comment on measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Lake Bunyonyi has been a major tourist attraction in Uganda, attracting visitors from across the world. However, the recent drowning incidents have raised concerns about the safety of tourists and residents on the lake. The local authorities have been urged to take measures to prevent such incidents, including providing life jackets and other safety equipment to residents and tourists.

The search for Laurensio Safari continues, with marine police and residents working together to recover his body. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with Lake Bunyonyi and the need for caution and safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Authorities are expected to provide updates on the incident and measures to prevent future drowning incidents on the lake.

Key points

• The drowning incidents on Lake Bunyonyi have raised concerns about water safety, particularly among residents who depend on the lake for transport and fishing.
• The incidents have highlighted the need for safety measures, including life jackets and other equipment, to prevent such incidents in the future.
• The local authorities have been urged to take measures to prevent such incidents and provide safety equipment to residents and tourists.