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Can Uganda unite to turn the tide on drowning?
The theme of this year’s commemoration, Unite to turn the tide, is particularly relevant. Prevention of drowning is not the responsibility of one ministry; it requires co-ordination across transport, education, health and disaster preparedness. It also demands grassroots involvement, where communities themselves become custodians of water safety.
Freddie K. Kiapi. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Freddie K. Kiapi
Uganda’s water bodies, Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga, Lake Albert and the Nile, are lifelines for transport, trade and livelihoods. Yet, they are also sites of recurring tragedy. Drowning remains a silent epidemic, claiming lives of fishermen, traders, schoolchildren and passengers who rely on unsafe boats and poorly maintained landing sites. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) new framework offers Uganda a timely roadmap to transform its waters from danger zones into safe corridors of mobility and growth.
The PROTECT strategies by WHO emphasise physical infrastructure, rescue capacity, occupational safety, transport standards, education in swimming and water safety, child safeguarding and threat preparedness for floods and climate emergencies. Each of these domains resonates with Uganda’s realities.
For instance, modernising landing sites with lighting, signage and emergency facilities would directly reduce risks on Lake Victoria. Enforcing transport safety standards such as mandatory life jackets, vessel inspections and penalties for overloading would save countless lives. Globally, countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam have demonstrated how reforms can work.
Bangladesh reduced fatalities by introducing regulated ferries, community rescue stations and mandatory safety gear. Vietnam invested in modern landing sites and strict vessel inspections, ensuring safer passenger transport across its waterways. Australia embedded water safety into national transport policy, combining infrastructure upgrades with public education campaigns. These examples show that prevention of drowning is not just about rescue but about systemic reform.
For instance, modernising landing sites with lighting, signage and emergency facilities would directly reduce risks on Lake Victoria. Enforcing transport safety standards such as mandatory life jackets, vessel inspections and penalties for overloading would save countless lives. Globally, countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam have demonstrated how reforms can work.
Bangladesh reduced fatalities by introducing regulated ferries, community rescue stations and mandatory safety gear. Vietnam invested in modern landing sites and strict vessel inspections, ensuring safer passenger transport across its waterways. Australia embedded water safety into national transport policy, combining infrastructure upgrades with public education campaigns. These examples show that prevention of drowning is not just about rescue but about systemic reform.
For Uganda, adopting such practices means embedding drowning prevention into the National Transport Master Plan, expanding marine police and community rescue centres, and integrating swimming lessons into school curricula. Civil society organisations can complement government action by sensitising communities, lobbying for budget prioritisation and partnering with the private sector to supply affordable life jackets and modern boats. International partners like WHO and Bloomberg Philanthropies stand ready to support Uganda with technical expertise and funding.
The theme of this year’s commemoration, Unite to turn the tide, is particularly relevant. Prevention of drowning is not the responsibility of one ministry; it requires co-ordination across transport, education, health and disaster preparedness. It also demands grassroots involvement, where communities themselves become custodians of water safety.
Uganda’s ambition to become a regional transport hub depends on safe, reliable water transport. Reducing the incidents of drowning will boost tourism, strengthen trade corridors and save lives. More importantly, it will build confidence in Uganda’s transport system, a cornerstone of Vision 2040, the Ten-fold Growth Strategy, the sustainable development goals, the NRM Election Manifesto (2026-2031) and the Fourth National Development Plan for socio-economic transformation of societies, a key pillar for President Yoweri Museveni in “driving Uganda towards middle income status and becoming a competitive country in building bridges of prosperity.”
As we commemorate World Drowning Prevention Day, Uganda must seize the moment. By learning from global best practices and implementing WHO’s seven strategies, the country can turn its waters into engines of prosperity rather than sites of tragedy. The message is clear: safer waters mean a stronger Uganda.
The writer is a transport safety advocate
The theme of this year’s commemoration, Unite to turn the tide, is particularly relevant. Prevention of drowning is not the responsibility of one ministry; it requires co-ordination across transport, education, health and disaster preparedness. It also demands grassroots involvement, where communities themselves become custodians of water safety.
Uganda’s ambition to become a regional transport hub depends on safe, reliable water transport. Reducing the incidents of drowning will boost tourism, strengthen trade corridors and save lives. More importantly, it will build confidence in Uganda’s transport system, a cornerstone of Vision 2040, the Ten-fold Growth Strategy, the sustainable development goals, the NRM Election Manifesto (2026-2031) and the Fourth National Development Plan for socio-economic transformation of societies, a key pillar for President Yoweri Museveni in “driving Uganda towards middle income status and becoming a competitive country in building bridges of prosperity.”
As we commemorate World Drowning Prevention Day, Uganda must seize the moment. By learning from global best practices and implementing WHO’s seven strategies, the country can turn its waters into engines of prosperity rather than sites of tragedy. The message is clear: safer waters mean a stronger Uganda.
The writer is a transport safety advocate