A Senior Four student of Kilembe Secondary School in Kasese drowned in River Nyamwamba on Sunday night, days to his final UCE paper.
Innocent Ashraf Nowomugisha, 17, was swept away at about 8pm on October 25 while returning to school from Kasese town where he had gone to play football with fellow student Davis Musanganya, a Senior Six student.
The two were crossing the flooded river after heavy rain when they were swept away. Musanganya survived after being carried downstream near the former Kilembe Bridge.
Rwenzori East Police spokesperson ASP Elly Maate said Musanganya reported to head teacher Christopher Ndyanabo, who alerted police.
Residents and police recovered Nowomugisha’s body at about 11:45am Monday, October 26. It was taken to Kasese Municipal Health Centre III for postmortem before handover to family.
Father Abel Rwibande, resident of Saluti B Cell, Kanyangeya Ward, Nyamwamba Division, said his son had hoped to study Medicine and Surgery.
“I feel heartbroken; my son has been my last hope! This couldn’t be now. My son loved football. His dream was to study Medicine and Surgery. My heart is now scattered,” Rwibande said.
Kasese District councillor for Bulembia, Deusi Baluku, asked government to build footbridges.
“If there was an alternative bridge, this wouldn’t have happened. The boys would have used the bridge,” Baluku said.
River Nyamwamba has a history of deadly floods. In February 2021, Biira Karamahyi, 24, drowned crossing from Kihara to Habitant Cell. In August 2021, S1 student Linas Masereka, 17, of same school went missing in floods. In September 2024, nurse Masika Teopista, 40, and Bright Mumbere, 28, died in separate flood incidents. In May 2026, Christine Chachimwa, 16, drowned returning from confirmation ceremony.
ASP Maate cautioned against crossing flooded rivers at night.
“Please let us avoid crossing rivers whenever it rains or during night hours when it is dark, since you cannot determine the water levels. Stay where you are and wait for the river to settle,” Maate said.