Six-year-old girl drowns in Mityana drainage channel

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A six-year-old girl has died after being swept away by fast-moving rainwater in a drainage channel in Mityana Municipality, Mityana district.

The deceased, identified as Shifah Naggayi, a pupil at Hilton Primary School, was the daughter of Sulaiman Kibirige and Hadijah Namata, residents of Buswabulongo Ward in Busimbi Division, Mityana Municipality.

Briefing the media on Monday, June 8, 2026, Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson Lameck Kigozi said the incident occurred on June 6, 2026, following heavy rainfall in the municipality.

“It has been a known habit in the deceased's village that whenever it rains, children undress and go to play in rain and running water,” Kigozi said.

The Police report indicates that on the fateful day, Naggayi joined other children who were playing in the heavy flowing water. However, she was overpowered by strong currents in a drainage channel and was swept away.

“She died, and her body was recovered a few hours later after the water levels had subsided,” Kigozi added.

The Mityana Police homicide team visited the scene, retrieved the body, and transported it to the mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Police have since appealed to parents and guardians across Mityana and the wider Wamala Region to closely monitor their children during periods of heavy rainfall.

“We appeal to the public to keep children indoors during adverse weather conditions. There are many dangers associated with playing in the rain, including lightning, hailstorms and flooding, all of which can be life-threatening when proper caution is not exercised,” Kigozi warned.