When the lake takes another life: why drowning continue to haunt Lake Kyoga

By Hope Mafaranga

For the people who live along the shores of Lake Kyoga, every journey onto the water carries hope and fear.

The lake feeds families, pays school fees and sustains livelihoods. But for many households in Serere District, it has also become a place of unimaginable heartbreak.

In Labor sub-county, at least eight people have drowned in the past year alone, leaving behind grieving families, orphaned children and a community struggling to understand why the deaths continue despite government efforts to improve water safety.

For Jorem Aketu, the Labor sub-county councillor and Secretary for Production, the statistics are painfully personal.

Last year, he buried his brother, Charles Opio, a catechist who drowned in the lake. Before his family could recover from that loss, tragedy struck again.

"Not long after, I lost my son, David Adilu, a trained laboratory technician, who also drowned," Aketu said, fighting back emotion.

His story mirrors the anguish of many families living around the lake. The latest victim was 35-year-old fisherman Max Bulera, who drowned on March 20 while casting a fishing net.

According to his brother, Tom Suwede, Bulera lost his balance during the routine fishing exercise.

"He was with a colleague. As he cast the net, he slipped, fell into the water and drowned," Suwede recalled.

Bulera leaves behind a widow and seven children, raising concerns over how the family will survive and whether the children will remain in school.

Dangerous habits continue

Community leaders say many of the deaths could be avoided if basic safety measures were followed.

Aketu blames the rising number of fatalities on the continued use of small boats and the refusal by many fishermen to wear life jackets.

"Water levels have risen, yet our people continue using small boats. Worse still, many refuse to wear life jackets, exposing themselves to danger," he said.

Residents say drowning incidents have become increasingly common not only on Lake Kyoga itself but also on the rivers and channels feeding into the lake.

On International Women's Day, tragedy nearly struck again when 21-year-old Jorem Ediau drowned while crossing a grazing area in Soroti District.

Three other passengers survived

"We could have lost four people that day," said local leader Charles Omieno, who blamed the accident on poorly maintained boats.

Safer boats ignored

According to Serere District Fisheries Officer Joseph Epero, government has recommended the use of 26-foot boats, but many fishermen continue operating smaller vessels that are easily overturned by strong winds.

"Our people are not embracing these safer boats. Instead, they continue using small ones that are easily overturned by strong winds, leading to loss of life," Epero said.

He explained that Lake Kyoga, which stretches across Serere, Kaberamaido, Amolatar and parts of Busoga, has 22 major landing sites in Serere District alone, making enforcement difficult.

"Increased water levels, combined with illegal small boats, have made fishermen more vulnerable," he added.

One landing site offers hope

At Kagwara Landing Site, however, a different story is unfolding.

Chairperson Richard Otukol says strict enforcement of safety regulations and the adoption of recommended boats since 2021 have dramatically reduced drowning cases.

"Previously, drowning was rampant. Now it is rare here. We mostly hear of such incidents happening at other landing sites," Otukol said.

The landing site has 180 fishermen operating 54 compliant boats. Last year, only one drowning was recorded and it involved an illegal boat.

Cost of survival

Although government has distributed more than 500 life jackets, many remain unused.

State Minister for Fisheries Hellen Adoa says some fishermen simply leave them at home.

                   Minister Hellen Adoa speaking to the people of Serere recently

Affordability remains another challenge

Life jackets cost between UGX65,000 and UGX200,000, prices many fishing families cannot meet.

To bridge the gap, Design Without Borders has started piloting locally manufactured life jackets.

Project coordinator Nancy Akera says the organisation hopes to reduce costs by half while making the jackets widely available.

"We are working with marine police and having plans of training local tailors to produce affordable life jackets," Akera said.

The organisation is also working with weather experts to improve access to forecasts.

"Many fishermen go to the lake without knowing the weather conditions, which contributes to drowning," she added.

A crisis beyond Lake Kyoga

Uganda records an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 drowning deaths every year the equivalent of eight to nine people every day.

      A water ambulance on lake Kyoga used for transporting patients from the High land  to the main land for treatment

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 372,000 people die from drowning annually, with 90% of those deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries such as Uganda.

Former WHO Director-General Margaret Chan noted that more than 40 people lose their lives to drowning every hour, making it one of the world's most neglected public health challenges.

WHO recommends teaching school-age children swimming and water safety skills, training communities in safe rescue and resuscitation, providing safe childcare away from water, strengthening public awareness and enforcing effective water safety policies.

Uganda's research paints a worrying picture

A 2020 study by the Makerere University School of Public Health, titled "Understanding and Preventing Drowning in Uganda," conducted in 60 districts, including Soroti and Serere, found that drowning is a leading cause of premature death, particularly among young adults whose livelihoods depend on water.

Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean of the Makerere University School of Public Health, said most drowning deaths are preventable through stronger regulations and coordinated interventions.

She called for a national water safety strategy bringing together local governments, the health sector, fisheries, education, transport, law enforcement and other stakeholders.

During the study period between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018, researchers documented 2,066 drowning cases in 14 districts through community investigations more than three times the number officially recorded in district reports.

The study recommended stricter enforcement of safe boating regulations, improved weather forecasting and dissemination, and stronger safety measures for both transport and fishing vessels.

Recommended boats at Kagwara landing site in Serere district

For families like those of Charles Opio, David Adilu and Max Bulera, those recommendations cannot come soon enough. Along the shores of Lake Kyoga, every life jacket worn, every safer boat adopted and every weather warning heeded could mean the difference between returning home or becoming the lake's next victim.

 

Yes, we can end TB if countries and communities take the lead

Yes, we can end TB if countries and communities take the lead By Hope Mafaranga On March 24, 2026, the world marks World Tuberculosis (TB) Day under the theme, “Yes! We can End TB! Led by countries, powered by people.” The message is clear: with strong country leadership, increased investment in health systems, and meaningful involvement of affected communities, ending TB is within reach. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. In 2024 alone, about 10.7 million people developed active TB, while 1.23 million lost their lives to the disease. The burden remains heaviest in the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for more than two-thirds of global TB cases. Five countries India (25%), Indonesia (10%), the Philippines (6.8%), China (6.5%), and Pakistan (6.3%) carry the largest share of infections. TB also continues to disproportionately affect people living with HIV, who are about 12 times more likely to develop the disease compared to HIV-negative individuals. In addition, drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is an escalating public health concern, driven by challenges in diagnosis and treatment. In 2024, about 394,000 people developed DR-TB globally, with 67% of these cases reported in the Asia-Pacific region. There is, however, some progress to build on. Since 2000, global efforts to combat TB have saved more than 79 million lives. But these gains are under threat due to rising conflicts, climate change, humanitarian crises, and increasing financial pressures on health systems. Stakeholders warn that without renewed commitment, the world risks reversing decades of progress. They are calling on global leaders to honour commitments made during the second United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB and to prioritise urgent action to end TB as a public health threat by 2035. “In 2024, global funding for TB programmes fell short by $16.1 billion, putting millions of lives at risk,” said Atul Shendge, a programme officer at the Global Coalition of TB Advocates. “This is not just a financial gap it is a direct threat to global health security.” He emphasised that unchecked TB not only causes immense human suffering but also undermines economic productivity and national stability. He called for stronger political leadership and sustained investment in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria remains the largest international financier of TB programmes, contributing about 73% of global funding. By June 2025, the Fund had invested over $10.5 billion in TB programmes and an additional $8.6 billion in TB/HIV interventions. Between 2017 and 2025, the Global Fund allocated $3.5 billion to TB programmes in the Asia-Pacific region. As a result, TB deaths in supported countries declined by 40% between 2002 and 2024. Without these interventions, deaths could have risen by 134%, with infections increasing by 40% over the same period. However, the Fund’s Eighth Replenishment raised $12.64 billion about 30% below the $18 billion target raising concerns about the sustainability of essential TB services, especially for vulnerable populations. An estimated 3-4 million people with TB are still missed by health systems every year, particularly among marginalised and hard-to-reach communities. Programmes such as the Challenge Facility for Civil Society are working to close this gap by empowering communities and TB survivors to take a leading role in national responses. Experts say TB thrives in conditions of poverty and inequality. Factors such as malnutrition, poor sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions significantly increase the risk of infection and limit patients’ ability to seek and complete treatment. “TB reflects deep social and economic inequalities,” said Florita Dalida, founder of TB HEALS. “But experience shows that progress is possible when communities are fully involved. When countries and communities lead together, we can accelerate efforts to end TB.” As the world commemorates TB Day, civil society organisations and affected communities are urging governments and development partners to take decisive action. They are calling for increased domestic funding to close the $16.1 billion financing gap and scale up access to TB services. They also want greater inclusion of young people as leaders and advocates in TB prevention and care, noting their critical role in driving behaviour change and innovation. In addition, there are calls to institutionalise community-led approaches, ensuring that affected populations are not just beneficiaries but active partners in shaping responses. Experts further stress the need for increased investment in research and development to improve diagnostics, treatment, and vaccines particularly to address the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. Finally, stakeholders are urging countries and donors to increase contributions to the Global Fund to sustain gains made in the fight against TB, HIV, and malaria, and to stay on track towards achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. The message this year is one of urgency but also hope. With the right leadership, resources, and community engagement, the world can end TB.

Criminal Justice sector takes lead in fight against HIV, TB and Malaria with Global Fund support

 

Criminal Justice sector takes lead in fight against HIV, TB and Malaria with Global Fund support
By Hope Mafaranga 
Jinja

Uganda continues to grapple with the burden of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria three diseases that have strained the country’s health system and affected socio-economic development for decades. According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda is home to more than 1.4 million people living with HIV, while TB and malaria remain leading causes of illness and death, particularly among vulnerable populations.

As the country works towards eliminating HIV as a public health threat by 2030, multi-sectoral approaches have become central to the national response.

It is against this backdrop that the Criminal Justice Sector (CJS) has stepped onto the frontline of Uganda’s fight against HIV, TB and malaria, with critical support from the Global Fund.

Traditionally viewed as an enforcer of law and order, the sector is increasingly emerging as a key partner in public health protection.

Institutions such as the Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Police Force detention centres and remand facilities have long been recognised as high-risk environments for the spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding and limited access to healthcare.

In response to these challenges, the Criminal Justice Sector, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with funding from the Global Fund, has embarked on comprehensive disease prevention, screening and treatment programmes across correctional facilities.

“Let me start by acknowledging the support from the Global Fund to Uganda as a country in the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria which have plagued us for decades. Support from Global Fund is very welcome and timely,” said Festo Nsenga, the Deputy Registrar, Inspectorate of Courts.

Nsenga explained that due to the devastating effects of HIV, TB and malaria on human capital development, government is making deliberate efforts to minimise their impact by 2030.

He made the remarks while closing a one-week orientation workshop for officials of the Criminal Justice Sector Program Management Unit (PMU), comprising the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and other stakeholders, held at Nile Village Hotel in Jinja City.

Dr Benard Ndiwalana left the head of clinical services at the Uganda police with Festo Nsenga middle the high court registrar and Barbra Msinde the program coordinator in the office of the DPP speaking to the press.

“These efforts are targeting everyone using a multi-sectoral approach  to ensure that no one is left  behind,” he said.

Nsenga noted that the Ministry of Health came on board after the realisation that while the DPP carries out its constitutional mandate, gaps existed in the respect and promotion of people’s rights specifically the right to health during interaction with criminal justice processes.

“This has given birth to the ‘Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) initiative, whose overall aim is to be cognizant and address the barriers curtailing the full realization of people’s rights, particularly key and vulnerable populations including people in police and prison detention,” he noted.

He added that the core role of the Program Management Unit is to ensure that the BDB initiative is successfully implemented and embedded within Criminal Justice Sector processes.

Barbra Masinde, the Global Fund Coordinator in the Office of the DPP, disclosed that the Global Fund has so far disbursed UGX 5 billion to support Uganda’s Criminal Justice Sector in mitigating the effects of HIV, TB and malaria.

She said the DPP’s office began implementing the programme in 2018 under what was then known as the New Funding Model. The criminal justice sector, she explained, was brought on board following a baseline survey that revealed significant impediments to people’s access to their rights, particularly the right to health.

“Whereas we are responsible for the rights to justice in all our different sectors, it was noted that in dispensing our individual mandates we affect people’s rights, specifically the rights to access to health, which we have now taken up through this initiative,” she said.

Masinde pointed out that major health challenges in correctional facilities go beyond individual institutions, citing inadequate funding amid competing government priorities.

She added that structural constraints such as small and congested cells in police stations and prisons pose significant hurdles.

“Efforts are underway to mitigate these challenges by working to establish isolation rooms for suspected individuals, which will help prevent the spread of these diseases and ensure that those who are sick receive the care they need,” she said.

Dr Bernard Ndiwalana, the Head of Clinical Services at the Uganda Police Force, said the intervention across facilities is aimed at identifying individuals suspected of having TB or malaria through decentralised screening conducted by trained non-medical personnel.

“We are training non-medical personnel to screen for HIV, TB and malaria following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) signed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which will enable us to identify potential cases early and refer them to health facilities for further management. Those found to be on treatment will be maintained, thereby improving access,” she said.

She further noted that Uganda aims to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030, in line with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets.

Innovation

 In Africa, women are endlessly creative when there’s no umbrella, she simply slices a calabash in half and voilà, a custom-made sun shield to save her child from the scorching sun. Picture By Hope Mafaranga.

IAS announces Geneva as host city for IAS 2027

 

IAS announces Geneva as host city for IAS 2027

By Hope Mafaranga

GENEVA, Switzerland

The International AIDS Society (IAS) has announced that Geneva will host the 14th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2027), scheduled for July 11–15, 2027.

The conference will take place in person in Geneva and virtually, drawing an estimated 5,000 participants from more than 130 countries.

IAS President-Elect and IAS 2027 International Co-Chair Prof. Kenneth Ngure said the meeting comes at a critical moment in the global HIV response, marked by major scientific advances but persistent barriers to access.

“We now have a game-changing toolkit that includes long-acting treatment and prevention options that could end the HIV pandemic. But for many of the people who need them the most, these innovations remain behind a door locked by abiding access issues and shrinking funding ,” Ngure said.

Ngure, an associate professor of global health and former dean of the School of Public Health at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya, said the Geneva conference would focus on translating science into impact.

“IAS 2027 will bring together scientists, programme leaders, policy makers and communities in Geneva, long known as a hub for global health and human rights,” he said. “Together, we will take stock of the latest discoveries, chart progress in building and rebuilding research and programmes, and find the key to opening the door so that these tools reach everyone, everywhere.”

IAS 2027 Local Co-Chair Dr. Alexandra Calmy welcomed the decision to host the conference in Geneva, describing it as timely and strategic. Calmy heads the HIV Unit in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG).

“Hosting IAS 2027 in Geneva at this critical time makes perfect sense. It will give us a solid platform for global collaboration in the HIV response and renewing and building partnerships to take us forward,” Calmy said.

Geneva has a long-standing reputation as a global centre for public health and human rights, hosting numerous international organisations and non-governmental bodies central to the HIV response.

The city is also home to Geneva University Hospitals and its specialised HIV Unit, which provides comprehensive and non-discriminatory care.

It is additionally known for the “Geneva patient”, one of 10 people worldwide considered to have been cured of HIV.

Switzerland is among several high-income countries approaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. HIV prevalence stands at about 0.2%, while new HIV infections have declined by 20% since 2010 to fewer than 500 in 2023. AIDS-related deaths have also dropped by 19%, to fewer than 100 in the same year.

The country’s HIV response is grounded in human rights and evidence-based approaches. Switzerland is a global leader in harm reduction for people who use drugs, has legalised sex work, simplified the legal process for gender change, supports reintegration of former prisoners through training programmes, recognises same-sex marriage and ensures people living with HIV have access to healthcare and professional support.

IAS 2027 is expected to serve as a major platform for advancing scientific knowledge, strengthening partnerships and renewing global commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.