RUBANDA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) — Police in Rubanda District are investigating the drowning of a Senior Four student at Lake Bunyonyi.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at about 11:00am between Itambira and Bwama islands.
The deceased has been identified as Amanya Samuel, 22, a Senior Four student at Lake Bunyonyi Senior Secondary School in Bwama.
According to preliminary police findings, Amanya paddled a canoe from Katoma to Itambira Island and reached safely. However, when he attempted to return, he reportedly found that the canoe had been moved from where he had left it.
Police said Amanya then decided to swim across the lake, believing he could make it to the other side. He, however, drowned while swimming between Itambira and Bwama islands.
The Police Marine Unit, with the help of local divers, responded to the scene and retrieved his body from the lake.
According to Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime, the preliminary findings indicate that drowning was the cause of death, although police have opened an inquiry to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
