Valentine tragedy as 29-year-old drowns in Lake Victoria

________________

What was meant to be a joyful Valentine’s Day outing turned tragic on Saturday when a 29-year-old man drowned at Lutembe Beach in Bweya ward.

The victim, Obadia Arinaitwe, a resident of Lugoba in Kawempe Division, had been swimming with colleagues when the incident occurred at about 4:00pm on February 14, police said on Sunday.

According to Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy public relations officer for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, Arinaitwe reportedly ventured into a deeper, unmarked section of Lake Victoria and became overwhelmed by the water’s depth, failing to make it back to safety.

Officers from the Kajjansi Police Division responded to the scene, recording statements from witnesses and beach management.

The body was later retrieved and conveyed to Mulago National Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Lutembe Beach is among the busiest leisure destinations along the Entebbe–Kampala corridor, popular for birdwatching and recreational swimming.

However, parts of the Lake Victoria shoreline present risks that often catch casual swimmers off guard.

Police say some sections of the lake have sudden drop-offs where water depth can change sharply within a short distance. 

Owoyesigyire added that recent heavy rains have stirred up silt, reducing underwater visibility and making it harder to detect hazards. 

During busy public holidays such as Valentine’s Day, large crowds can also overwhelm safety personnel, making it more difficult to quickly identify swimmers in distress.

The incident highlights a wider public safety concern. 

Drowning statistics

Current estimates suggest that Uganda records between 3,000 and 3,500 drowning deaths each year — an average of eight to nine deaths daily, according to police. 

Children are among the most affected, with studies indicating that nearly one in four drowning victims is under the age of 14. In lakeside and riverine communities, drowning rates are several times higher than global averages.

Despite these alarming figures, drowning remains underreported and poorly documented and is largely absent from national injury prevention priorities.

Experts say this limited attention has led to fragmented responses and repeated loss of lives, many of them young.

In the wake of the incident, the Kampala Metropolitan Police have issued new safety directives for recreational facilities along the lake. 

Beach operators have been instructed to clearly mark deep-water zones using visible indicators such as buoys or flags. Facilities expecting large crowds must also notify police in advance to allow marine security teams to prepare.

Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid swimming in unfamiliar areas, especially if they are not strong swimmers or have consumed alcohol.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Arinaitwe’s death are ongoing.