Two Primary Seven candidates from Kifampa Model Primary School tragically drowned in a water-filled sand quarry in Gomba District while swimming. The incident occurred on May 19, 2026, in the Katonga Wetland System.
Police in Gomba District are investigating the deaths of two Primary Seven candidates who drowned in an abandoned sand quarry on the evening of May 19, 2026. The victims, identified as Sharif Kyabagu and John Jjuuko Muhanguzi, were pupils at Kifampa Model Primary School.
The boys were swimming in a quarry that had filled with water due to sand mining activities in Kiryaameevu Village, Kalwanga Parish, Kifampa Sub-county. Preliminary police reports indicate that the children were overwhelmed by the depth of the water and subsequently drowned.
Katonga Regional Police spokesperson Lydia Tumushabe confirmed the tragic incident. She issued a stern warning to parents and local leaders about the dangers of unsupervised children near abandoned sand mining pits and other unprotected water bodies, especially during school holidays. “Children should not be left unsupervised near such areas because they can easily lose their lives,” Tumushabe stated.
A case of drowning was registered at Kifampa Sub-county Police Station. Police have visited the scene, recorded witness statements, and the bodies have been sent to Gombe General Hospital for postmortem examinations. The investigation into the exact circumstances of the drowning is ongoing.
This incident highlights a recurring problem in the Katonga Region, particularly in districts like Mpigi, Butambala, and Gomba, where numerous abandoned sand mining quarries and waterlogged pits pose a significant drowning risk to children. Local leaders have previously expressed concern over the lack of safety measures around these excavation sites.
