Senior Four Student Drowns in Lake Bunyonyi

A tragic incident has befallen Lake Bunyonyi as a 22-year-old Senior Four student lost his life while attempting to swim across its waters. The student, identified as Samuel Amanya, attended Lake Bunyonyi Senior Secondary School-Bwama, located on Bwama Island.

According to Kigezi police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime, the unfortunate event took place on October 3, 2026. Amanya had reportedly traveled from Katoma to Itambira Island by canoe. Upon his return journey, he discovered that the canoe he had used was no longer at its mooring.

Faced with this predicament, Amanya opted to swim back to Bwama Island. Tragically, he drowned midway between Itambira and Bwama islands. Police Marine officers, aided by local divers, were dispatched to the scene and successfully recovered Amanya’s body from the lake.

While preliminary findings suggest drowning as the cause of death, police investigations are ongoing to ascertain the precise circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are using this incident to emphasize the dangers of swimming in deep waters like Lake Bunyonyi without proper supervision and safety equipment.

Police have issued an appeal to parents, guardians, schools, and the wider community to warn students against swimming in the lake unsupervised or without life jackets. For the many communities residing on the islands of Lake Bunyonyi, canoes are a vital mode of transport for accessing essential services, including education and healthcare.

Source: Nile Post