Mukono District, Uganda – Uganda Police Force has opened a formal investigation into the tragic drowning of Nsamba Kevin, a student at Seeta High School’s Mbalala campus, in an incident that has triggered renewed calls for stricter safety protocols in school swimming facilities.
According to ACP Kituuma Rusoke, the regional police commander, the incident occurred on August 3rd, 2025, around 5:30 PM at the school’s swimming pool. Police received the report the following day, August 4th, 2025, at midday.
Upon receiving the report, a regional police team immediately visited the scene. They recorded witness statements, reviewed CCTV footage, and retrieved the body from the swimming pool.
A postmortem examination was conducted to establish the cause of death. Although police have not yet released the findings publicly, the results are expected to be crucial in determining if negligence contributed to the tragedy.
One person, Kato Diriisa, the school’s designated swimming pool life saver, was arrested to assist with investigations. Police say he will be presented to court pending guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
In a statement, ACP Rusoke stressed that this incident revealed serious shortcomings in how schools manage swimming pool safety.
“Having lifeguards on poolside is not enough. Lifeguards are often distracted by acting as coaches or trainers, which can compromise their primary role of supervision,” Rusoke said.
He added that in many cases, lifeguards lack formal lifesaving certification or an official appointment to perform lifesaving duties, a gap that can have fatal consequences.
Police have outlined several key takeaways for schools and institutions that operate swimming pools which include they must have CCTV surveillance, dedicated Lifeguards, strict pool usage guidelines, and rapid emergency response.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among young people in Uganda, especially during school-organized activities. The Uganda Police has in the past issued warnings to schools about lax supervision, overcrowded pools, and the absence of trained safety personnel.
In recent years, similar tragedies have sparked lawsuits, public outrage, and calls for the Ministry of Education to enforce nationwide safety standards for school swimming programs.
Police will present their findings to the DPP, who will decide on possible charges against individuals or the institution.
Meanwhile, the community, parents, and child safety advocates are demanding transparent accountability from Seeta High School and urgent reforms in school safety practices.
“We entrust our children to schools expecting them to be safe. This should never have happened,” said one parent in Mukono, speaking anonymously.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging all schools to review their swimming pool safety protocols not after a tragedy, but as a preventative measure.
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