News
S4 candidate drowns while trying to cross Lake Bunyonyi
Samuel Amanya, 22, drowned on October 3, 2026, while attempting to swim between Itambira and Bwama islands after the canoe he had used to travel to Itambira was reportedly moved from where he had left it.
Samuel Amanya, 22, drowned on October 3, 2026, while attempting to swim between Itambira and Bwama islands. (Courtesy photo)
By: Bruno Mugizi, Journalist @New Vision
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A Senior Four candidate at Lake Bunyonyi Senior Secondary School has drowned in Lake Bunyonyi, just days before he was due to sit his Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) O-Level examinations.
Samuel Amanya, 22, drowned on October 3, 2026, while attempting to swim between Itambira and Bwama islands after the canoe he had used to travel to Itambira was reportedly moved from where he had left it.
The incident occurred at about 11:00 am, according to police.
Kigezi region police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime said Amanya had paddled a canoe from Katoma to Itambira Island and reached safely.
However, when he wanted to return, he reportedly found that the canoe had been moved from where he had left it.
Tumushime said Amanya then decided to swim across the lake but drowned in the process.
“He decided to swim, thinking he could cross the water, but unfortunately he failed and drowned between Itambira and Bwama islands,” Tumushime said.
Police marine officers, with the help of local divers, retrieved the student's body from the lake.
Tumushime said Amanya then decided to swim across the lake but drowned in the process.
“He decided to swim, thinking he could cross the water, but unfortunately he failed and drowned between Itambira and Bwama islands,” Tumushime said.
Police marine officers, with the help of local divers, retrieved the student's body from the lake.
Tumushime said preliminary findings indicate that the student drowned, although police have opened an inquiry to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
The incident comes about two months after John Tumukunde, 45, a head teacher of Musamba Primary School in Rubanda, drowned in the same lake after the canoe he was travelling in capsized.
Tumukunde was travelling to church with Rebecca, 19, when the canoe capsized. Rebecca was rescued alive, while Tumukunde's body was recovered after a six-day search involving the Police Marine Unit, local divers and community members.
The two incidents have renewed concerns about safety on Lake Bunyonyi, where residents and visitors regularly use canoes to travel between the islands.
Tumushime urged parents, guardians, school administrators and community members to caution students against swimming in the deep waters of Lake Bunyonyi without adult supervision and life jackets.
He also urged people travelling on the lake to observe water-safety measures and avoid taking risks that could lead to drowning.
The incident comes about two months after John Tumukunde, 45, a head teacher of Musamba Primary School in Rubanda, drowned in the same lake after the canoe he was travelling in capsized.
Tumukunde was travelling to church with Rebecca, 19, when the canoe capsized. Rebecca was rescued alive, while Tumukunde's body was recovered after a six-day search involving the Police Marine Unit, local divers and community members.
The two incidents have renewed concerns about safety on Lake Bunyonyi, where residents and visitors regularly use canoes to travel between the islands.
Tumushime urged parents, guardians, school administrators and community members to caution students against swimming in the deep waters of Lake Bunyonyi without adult supervision and life jackets.
He also urged people travelling on the lake to observe water-safety measures and avoid taking risks that could lead to drowning.