JINJA, UGANDA: The Uganda Police Force Marine Unit has brought closure to a heart-wrenching Christmas tragedy, retrieving the second body of two children who drowned in Lake Victoria, Jinja City. The incident began on Christmas Day, sending shockwaves through the community.
Only one body had been recovered initially, leaving families fearing the worst. Kiira Region Police Spokesperson, Mr. James Mubi, confirmed the ongoing search for the second child on Monday, stating, “The search for the second body will continue today (Tuesday) morning.”
Tragically, Mr. Mubi’s prediction proved true. The missing boy, still unidentified, was discovered on Tuesday afternoon, mirroring the somber mood that had blanketed Masese Landing Site since the first child’s recovery.
Earlier, 12-year-old Fazali Ebere Mukungu, a former student at Happy Hours Primary School, had been found near the Masese Landing Site, sending residents into mourning. On Tuesday, the grief deepened as 10-year-old Akishan Wambadde, a former pupil of Nakayonyi Primary School, joined him in the watery depths.
Eyewitness Brian Mungdit recounted the chilling sequence of events. One of the boys swam into the lake but “disappeared” without a trace. His friend, attempting to rescue him, vanished as well, sparking a frantic search.
Mungdit described the initial struggles, “One first responder to the lake was overwhelmed by the waters and returned empty-handed.” However, police soon arrived, discovering and retrieving the first body with the help of locals.
Authorities initially planned to take the second body to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for an autopsy, a decision met with resistance from grieving relatives. Thankfully, a compromise was reached, and the body was handed over to the family for burial.
