By Robert Segawa
The Uganda Police Force has issued a strong caution to all proprietors of swimming pools and recreational centers, urging them to hire trained lifesavers rather than relying solely on attendants who may lack the skills necessary to rescue drowning victims.
According to police observations, many swimming pool owners tend to employ attendants whose primary focus is coaching swimming enthusiasts, but who lack the expertise to respond effectively in emergency situations. This concern follows a tragic incident involving Nsamba Kevin, a Senior Six student at Seeta High School Mbarara, who mysteriously drowned in the school’s swimming pool.
While addressing the press at Naguru Police Headquarters, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke emphasized the importance of proper safety measures at recreational facilities. “Many swimming pool attendants are only focused on training for money rather than concentrating on saving lives,” Kituuma stated.
He further recommended that pool proprietors adopt structured access schedules to avoid overcrowding and enhance safety. Additionally, Kituuma called for the installation of CCTV cameras at all recreational centers to aid in monitoring and assist with investigations in case of accidents or foul play.
In relation to the Seeta High School Mbarara drowning case, police have arrested Kato Dirisa, a pool attendant at the school, to assist with ongoing investigations.
Kituuma also highlighted other concerning incidents at Seeta High School campuses. Earlier this year, a 16-year-old student, Elshamar Ssesazi, allegedly died by suicide in a school dormitory at Seeta High School Mukono. In a separate case, Ivan Oloya, a teacher at the same school, was attacked and killed by unknown assailants outside the school premises. Police have since arrested five suspects linked to the incident as investigations continue.
The police continue to stress the importance of safety, vigilance, and accountability in educational and recreational institutions across the country.
