The Life Saving Association of Uganda has intensified efforts to reduce drowning incidents through nationwide swimming and water safety training for schoolchildren and communities. This follows an increase in drowning cases in Uganda and across the world. 

According to a World Health Organization report, 3 million people have died from drowning in the past 10 years. Uganda is among the countries with the highest number of drowning deaths. 

The areas most affected are those on lake shores, areas prone to seasonal flooding, and areas near open swimming pools. According to George William Mukasa, president of the Life Saving Association of Uganda, Uganda loses one person to drowning every one and a half hours, which is eight people each day. 

He said the nationwide trainings are designed to equip school children and communities with swimming skills as a line of defense against drowning, and this will help reduce drowning cases. 

He advised people in Bunyoro and other parts of the country to take up swimming lessons as a line of defense against drowning, amid rising drowning cases. Mukasa said there is a need for everyone to learn swimming as a way to acquire lifesaving skills in case of a drowning incident. He made these remarks during swimming lessons at Mika Eco Resort Hotel for children of Flobetto Nursery and Primary School in Hoima City. 

He said most people have not taken up swimming lessons, yet drowning claims many lives daily and urged parents to embrace swimming lessons for their children, since drowning is the fourth leading cause of death among children globally. 

Ambrose Otim, deputy headteacher in charge of administration at Flobetto Nursery and Primary School, said that in addition to academic excellence, Flobetto has also integrated co-curricular activities to give children other basic life skills such as swimming. 

World Drowning Prevention Day is commemorated every 25th June.