Uganda joined the entire world to celebrate world drowning prevention day on an event that took place on Tuesday, 25th July at Kaazi Scout National Camping Ground in Busabala.
The 2023 year’s event (Uganda’s 3rd edition) was commemorated on the theme: “Do one thing, improve one thing, add one thing to prevent drowning,” and it was attended by many dignitaries including the minister of Kalamoja Affairs Hon Agnes Nandutu on behalf of Hon Aisha Sekindi.
In her speech, the Minister of State for Water Hon Aisha Sekindi highlighted that the theme emphasizes the individual and collective responsibility in preventing drowning incidents by taking small steps and making improvements in the communities to make a significant impact on reducing preventable deaths.
“As the Government of Uganda, we have completed the development of the National Water Safety Strategic Plan for drowning prevention in Uganda. Through the implementation of this strategy, we aim to reduce the risk of drowning among the highest-risk population and communities, and to reduce the number of deaths from drowning in Uganda by at least 25% by the year 2028,” she noted.
She added that the successful implementation of this five years National Water Safety Strategic Plan will require financial resources estimated on a budget of 25 billion shillings and activities worth 11 billion shillings are already in progress, including the establishment of a search and rescue center.
“However, adopting a strategy alone is not enough. We must translate our plans into action, therefore I encourage all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, community leaders, and individuals, to actively participate and contribute to the implementation of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy. Let us collaborate, share resources, and pool our expertise to create a comprehensive and sustainable framework that saves lives,” Sekindi remarked.
The Commissioner / Emergency Medical Service at the Ministry of Health Dr. John Baptist Waniaye appreciated the Ministry of Water and Environment for taking the lead in developing a drowning prevention strategy using a multi-sectoral approach as well as other ministries, departments, agencies, and different stakeholders for working towards safe waters and contributing to the country’s healthy livelihoods and reduction of early death through drowning prevention.
He also remarked that the Ministry of Health contributed to strategic approach 4 on Search, rescue, and provision of emergency care.
“We are in the process of building targeted attention on drowning like any other public health issue. As such, we need to mobilize all the skills, talents, and ideas from the citizenry and well-wishers across the country for us to harness the ingenuity of everyone in finding solutions that will not only help us prevent drowning but put us on a sustainable path to achieve healthy livelihoods in water bodies,” he added.
Dr. Waniaye therefore highlighted that to achieve that, development partners, and individuals, who are armed with knowledge and skills will be key and also made a clarion call to the public to be of service to humanity.
In conclusion, he also noted that alcohol use around water is an important risk factor for drowning especially for adolescents and adults with impairing diseases like Seizure disorders, heart conditions and
alcohol/drug use can increase susceptibility to drowning.
The Acting Commissioner of International and Transboundary Water Affairs under the Ministry of Water and Environment Sowedi Sewagudde remarked that as a country, there is a need for more resources to put more rescue centers as well as facilitate the rescue teams with good quality types of equipment so that they can do the surveillance and respond on such incidents.
Professor Heather Wipfli from the University of Southern California United States of America highlighted that drowning is not just a problem in Uganda but it is instead a global problem that needs to share knowledge and solutions to do better.
“I am here as a member of the international community committed to work and partnering with you all so that we can improve on our drowning prevention,” she added.
Moses Kalanzi the Executive Director of Swim Safe Uganda (SSU) said that as swim safe they are moving all over the country where there are water bodies trying to create volunteers to participate in drowning prevention.
“Drowning takes a minute, so somebody who is there is the right person to respond and what we do is to give the community capacity to respond on such incidents,” he remarked.
The United Nations General Assembly resolved in April 2021 to proclaim 25th July as World Drowning Prevention Day and urged member states and relevant stakeholders to observe it annually in an appropriate manner and follow national priorities.
Every year, globally, approximately 320,000 lives are tragically lost to drowning. Shockingly, drowning is the leading cause of preventable deaths among children, claiming the lives of over 90,000 young ones annually.
Drowning rates in low and middle-income countries are over three times higher than in high-income countries. In Uganda, over 90% of recorded drowning cases are fatalities and many still are not reported to the authorities.
For lakeside districts: lake Victoria registered the highest number of incidents followed by Albert, Kyoga, lake Wamala, lake George /Edward, and other rivers, ponds, valley dams, and sand quarries just to mention but a few.
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