By Police in Kira Division have registered a case of death by drowning involving a two-year-old child, as investigations continue and authorities call for heightened vigilance around water hazards.
The deceased has been identified as Apio Elsie, daughter of Mr. Oki David, a pharmacist and resident of Kira Cell, Kira Division, Kira Municipality in Wakiso District.
According to preliminary findings, the incident occurred on December 16, 2025 at about 2:23pm after police were notified by the girl’s father. Officers were told that earlier that morning at about 10:00am, Oki had taken his twin children, both aged two years, to play near an unfinished building close to their home. He later returned the children to the family compound and left the area.
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About an hour later, the father received a call from his wife asking about the whereabouts of their daughter. Upon returning home, he found his wife and neighbours heading towards the partially built structure where the children had been playing. Apio was later found floating in a pool of water that had collected in an under-construction swimming pool, and pronounced dead at the scene.
Police were informed and visited the site, where they examined and documented the scene of the incident. The body of the deceased child was conveyed to KCCA Mortuary pending post-mortem examination. Inquiries into the circumstances and cause of the death are ongoing.
Police appealed to parents, caretakers and guardians to exercise extra caution to ensure children’s safety, particularly around unfinished buildings and water-filled areas.
The tragic incident highlights a broader pattern of drowning deaths in Uganda, where drowning remains a significant safety concern. According to recent Uganda Police Annual Crime data, drowning accounted for 119 incidents in 2024, leading water-related offences and representing over 60 per cent of maritime cases recorded by the Marine Police that year. In 2023, at least 138 people drowned in water bodies across the country.
Public health and safety advocates note that children and youth are particularly vulnerable to drowning, with national statistics indicating that thousands of lives are lost annually through water-related incidents, many of which are preventable with proper supervision and safety measures.
Police and community leaders have reiterated the need for protective measures at construction sites and around water bodies, including fencing of dangerous areas, close supervision of young children and clear signage to prevent similar tragedies. Further updates will be provided as inquiries progress.
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