What began as a carefree Valentine’s Day outing ended in heartbreak at Lutembe Beach when a 29-year-old man slipped beneath the water and never resurfaced.
Police in Kajjansi are investigating the drowning of Arinaitwe Obadia, a resident of Lugoba in Kawempe Division, who lost his life on the afternoon of February 14, 2026.
According to authorities, Obadia had visited the popular lakeside spot with colleagues. At about 4:00pm, as music and laughter filled the air, he reportedly ventured away from the shallows into a deeper section of the water.
Moments later, panic erupted when he began struggling to stay afloat.
Witnesses say desperate attempts were made to reach him, but the water swallowed him before help could arrive.
The deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed that detectives responded swiftly to the scene.
Statements were recorded from witnesses, and the body was later retrieved and transported to Mulago National Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.
As investigations continue, police have directed beach management to clearly demarcate deep-water zones and to coordinate with authorities during large public gatherings to prevent similar tragedies.
What was meant to be a day of love and celebration has instead left a family mourning, and a sobering reminder of how quickly leisure can turn fatal in unguarded waters
