Security asks Entebbe beach owners to deploy lifesavers

WAKISO - Over 13 dead bodies washed up at the shoreline of Lake Victoria near Aero Beach in Entebbe municipality during the Christmas festive season of 2015. 

By the end of the same year, 17 bodies had been confirmed to have resulted from drowning. 

It is against this background that Wakiso deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in charge of Entebbe Hakim Kirigwa, on behalf of the area security committee, has tasked all beach owners to deploy life-savers during this festive season.

"We do not want to see signage indicating that swimming is at owners' risk," Kirigwa warned. 

He noted, however, that private security personnel and lifesavers at the beaches will be beefed up with Police and marine officers attached to the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). 

Merrymaking during the festive season in Entebbe is often marred by incidents of rogue youths from areas of Kampala terrorising beach revellers.

Kirigwa's warning comes at a time when the joint security forces have unveiled a robust plan to combat threats during the festive season. 

"To address manpower challenges, Police units with fewer than 10 officers across the country, especially in towns and markets, will receive reinforcements from UPDF," a source quotes security officers as having agreed on a robust plan last week. 

Kiriggwa assured that all possible measures have been put in place to curb all crimes synonymous with revellers.

Nasif Kayiza, the operations officer at Protea Hotel which is also in charge of White Sand beach, assured that all precautions have been put in place as advised by security personnel. Lucy Ssali of Kitinda Lakeside Beach said, swimming at the beach will not exceed 6:00pm. 

"We do not charge entrance fees but all revellers should leave the beach before midnight," Ssali said.

Desist from racing

Kirigwa also warned motorists against car racing and unnecessary hooting. 

"Especially Subaru drivers and cyclists driving sport bikes must desist from loud racing which sends panic attacks to other road users and the quiet environment of Entebbe," added the security boss. 

Allan Opolot, the Entebbe division tourism police officer, advised hotel owners to ensure functioning CCTV cameras and to report any suspicious elements around their hotels.

A shoreline of hotel and tourism developments, Entebbe is known for its serene environment due to its proximity to Lake Victoria. 

According to Andrew Otage, the area tourism officer, Entebbe remains a popular weekend retreat and lakeside resort, with a rich cosmopolitan community. 

Entebbe which was once Uganda's capital city also has special installations such as the state house, Zoo, several security installations, government ministries and Uganda's only international airport among other historical establishments. 

Entebbe has long been, and remains the main port of entry to Uganda.

To include part of the adjacent Katabi town council, Entebbe is home to more than 100 hotels and guest houses, not to mention an excellent selection of eateries, banks, bars, shops and a couple of shopping malls (Imperial and Victoria Mall).