Student drowns in River Namatala trying to save mother

Residents of Bunyolo village, Jami parish Kamonkoli Sub County in Budaka District have been left in grief after a senior two student at Royal Secondary School drowned into River Namatala as she attempted to save her mother from drowning.
Sarah Achamu, 17, had gone to wash her clothes at the banks of the river in preparation for the new academic year but her mother identified as Ruth Kayendeke too followed her to fetch water for domestic use.
Kayendeke reportedly slipped and fell into the water with her empty jerrycan and when she yelled for help, Achamu ran to her rescue. In the process of trying to retrieve her mother from the water, Achamu fell into the water and was washed away.

The nasty accident, according to the Kamonkoli Sub County LC3 chairman, Mr Bernard Mugoda, occurred at around 5.00pm on Tuesday.
Residents who were nearby heard Kayendeke and Achamu’s calls for help and when they arrived, they found the mother still fighting for her life in the water while the girl had been swept away.
“The residents mounted a search and her body was recovered late in the evening. This is unfortunate and regrettable that her life has been taken under such circumstances,” Mr Mugoda said.

He said most families depend on River Namatala for water, especially during long dry spells that leave many water points dry.
“Many people have drowned in this river and sometimes we see coffins floating on the water,” Mr Muogoda added.
The deceased was a daughter to Kolebu Mboizi.