Convict Drowns in River Nile While Attempting Escape Days Before Release

A desperate bid for freedom ended tragically for an inmate at Kangulumira Prison in Uganda’s Kayunga District, as he drowned in the River Nile. Hamza Maluwa, 30, was reportedly serving an eight-month sentence for theft and was only two months away from his release in October.

Witnesses state that Maluwa was among 15 inmates tasked with transporting timbers from the Nile’s bank in Kalagala Village. While working under the supervision of three armed prison warders, Maluwa allegedly walked back to the riverbank and jumped into the water.

Sources at the scene described the warders’ panicked reaction as they tried to apprehend the fleeing inmate while also maintaining control of the other prisoners. Initially, a warder believed Maluwa was merely cooling off and ordered him out, only realizing the escape attempt when the inmate continued into the river.

Reports indicate that a warder fired a shot in the air in an attempt to deter Maluwa, but his trajectory into the water continued. It remains unclear if he sustained any injuries from the gunshot.

Fishermen from Kangulumira Sub-county have launched a search for Maluwa’s body, with initial searches revealing blood in the water, though his current status – deceased or escaped via the river – is unconfirmed.

The convict’s mother, Petu Nekesa, expressed outrage, criticizing the prison authorities for alleged mistreatment and subjecting inmates to hard labor on insufficient food. She lamented the loss of her son and the impact on his only child.

Anger also surfaced among local youths who vowed to prevent the police from taking the body for postmortem if it is recovered, demanding explanations and justice.

When contacted, the prisons spokesperson, Frank Baine, stated he had not yet received an official report and would be investigating the incident with the Regional Prisons Commander.

This incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, August 11, 2026. For more details, visit the Daily Monitor.