The leadership of Jinja District has suspended operations at Busowoko Resort Beach, a well-known tourist spot in Butagaya Sub-County, following the drowning of Gershom Rwakasanga, an engineer with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).

Rwakasanga had gone to the resort on Saturday evening for a family outing when he was swept away by the fast-moving currents of the River Nile. Despite immediate rescue efforts, he could not be saved. Eyewitnesses say emergency response teams rushed to the scene, but the situation proved fatal.

His body was eventually discovered hours later by a combined team of marine police and local divers, deeply lodged between sharp rocks on the riverbed. It was transported to the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem before being released to his family for burial.

One of the divers, Asuman Musobya, described the recovery process as physically taxing due to the hazardous underwater terrain. He confirmed that the body was intact but pinned between rocks. Upon bringing the body ashore, police conducted a search and recovered 90,000 Shillings, 50 US Dollars, ATM cards, mobile phones, and other personal effects from his pockets.

Musobya also spoke about the traditional rituals performed after the retrieval. “The family gave us two goats and two cocks, which we sacrificed at the site,” he explained. “We believe this appeases the spirits of the river, ensuring such tragedies do not happen again.” These rituals are based on local beliefs that the River Nile is protected by spiritual forces.

However, district security officials expressed concern over these practices, emphasizing the need for scientific and regulatory safety protocols over spiritual interventions at public recreational areas.

Busowoko Resort Beach, renowned for its adventure activities such as kayaking and natural water massages, lies along a particularly picturesque stretch of the River Nile. Yet, authorities say the resort failed to adhere to mandatory safety regulations required for water-based tourism.

Following an inspection, the Jinja District LCV Chairperson, Moses Batwala, announced the beach’s closure, citing a lack of trained safety personnel on-site. He pointed out that essential staff like divers and marshals—critical during emergencies—were absent. He also highlighted the dangers posed by a fragile wooden bridge leading to the resort’s main water attractions.

Batwala further revealed that prior unreported incidents may have occurred at the site. “We have reason to believe that some incidents were quietly handled without official reporting,” he said. “Rwakasanga’s case gained attention only because he was a prominent individual, and this time it could not be swept under the carpet.”

Police have launched an official investigation into the incident. Kiira Regional Police spokesperson James Mubi confirmed that relevant agencies are collaborating to assess compliance with safety guidelines before the resort is considered for reopening.

Abdullah Suuta, the General Manager of Busowoko Resort Beach, acknowledged Rwakasanga as a regular and valued guest. He expressed the resort’s willingness to cooperate with authorities. “We normally deploy about 20 divers daily and engage architects and safety experts to periodically assess high-risk points along the river,” he explained. “We are committed to making Busowoko a safe and enjoyable space for all visitors.”

As inquiries continue, district officials have pledged to ensure that Busowoko and similar recreational sites meet all required safety standards before they are allowed to resume operations.

URN