Police and community members in Kasese have recovered the body of a 17-year-old Kilembe Secondary School student who allegedly drowned while attempting to cross River Nyamwamba on his way back to school.
The deceased, Owomugisha Innocent Ashraf, was reportedly returning from Kasese town with another student at around 8 p.m. on Sunday following heavy rainfall during the day. The two students were swept away by the river, but the second student managed to reach safety a few metres downstream.
The surviving student alerted the school’s headteacher, Christopher Ndyanabo, who subsequently contacted the police. Rwenzori East Police spokesperson ASP Elly Mate said the search for Ashraf began on Monday morning, with police officers, school staff and community members joining the operation.
His body was later recovered and taken to Kasese Municipal Health Centre III for a postmortem examination before being handed over to his relatives for burial. Ashraf was the son of Abel Rwibande, a resident of Saluti B, Kanyangeya Ward, Nyamwamba Division, Kasese Municipality.
Police have urged residents to avoid crossing rivers after heavy rainfall or at night, when rising water levels and strong currents can be difficult to assess. Residents have also been cautioned against attempting to cross rivers while under the influence of alcohol or drugs-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
