Uganda Intensifies Drowning Prevention with Survival Training and Life Jacket Initiatives

Lakeside communities in Uganda are receiving critical water-safety training as part of a renewed national push to combat drowning deaths. Organized by SwimSafe-Uganda and supported by public health experts, recent awareness campaigns in Kampala have focused on teaching residents practical survival skills, proper rescue techniques, and the correct use of flotation devices.

According to Mr. Otto Busingye from the Makerere School of Public Health, Uganda tragically loses about 3,000 people to drowning every year, which amounts to roughly eight deaths daily. Experts emphasize that basic interventions can significantly change these statistics by keeping individuals afloat during emergencies.

During safety demonstrations, water experts highlighted that wearing a properly fitted and certified life jacket is the primary line of defense for anyone traveling on water. Instructors showed participants how to secure buckles and straps correctly to ensure the equipment remains effective in an emergency. Passengers were also taught survival postures like the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP), which helps minimize body heat loss in open water, and huddling techniques for groups.

Organizers warned untrained bystanders against jumping directly into the water to save drowning victims. Instead, they promoted safe, non-contact rescue methods using ropes, poles, or floating objects to prevent rescuers from becoming secondary casualties.

To address safety gaps in remote areas, organizers have proposed a life-jacket loaner scheme targeting island communities such as Buvuma Island, where many schoolchildren rely on boats to reach classes. Under this initiative, collection points will allow boat operators to borrow safety gear for transit and return it at landing sites, improving accessibility without requiring individual purchases.

Government bodies are also taking structural steps. Senior Superintendent of Police Bashir Siriba, national coordinator of Uganda’s National Drowning Prevention Programme, announced that authorities are developing a comprehensive national strategy aimed at reducing drowning deaths by 25 percent over the next five years. This initiative follows tragic incidents like a recent boat accident in Kagadi, underscoring the urgent need for collective responsibility across lakes, beaches, and pools, as noted by SwimSafe Uganda Executive Director Moses Kalanzi.

Read more about these water-safety efforts on the Daily Monitor.