The Kalangala district leaders have cautioned the locals against swimming in Lake Victoria when drunk because of the strong winds at the lake.
The remarks were made by Frank Sekabunga, the Deputy Chairperson LC III of Bufumira sub-county, during a village meeting after one of the locals, identified as Kid, drowned in the water due to swimming while drunk in the wee hours of July 6, 2024, in Bufumira village, Ssesse Islands.
During an interview on July 6, 2024, Sekabunga revealed that despite the laws that were put in place by Kalangala district prohibiting the locals from swimming in the lake, they have ignored them, leading to deaths and near-drownings.
Sekabunga added that various district leaders once again walked through various villages and warned the locals to refrain from swimming or fishing very late at night due to the current windy season that has strong winds called ‘’Kisaawa’’ which make the water so dangerous to carry out any activity.
‘’Kid was very big-headed and was warned on various occasions to stop swimming while drunk since it was a habit of his, but he refused to listen, so his death was due to his own negligence and stubbornness too,’’ Sekabanga said.
He added that the district leaders were going to sit again and find a solution to the recurring incident.
Sekabunga further urged residents of the islands to avoid traveling without life jackets and in small fishing boats, as the strong winds can easily blow them and lead to drowning.