Police in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, have launched a search for the body of Issa Ssekamanya, a TikToker who tragically drowned in the River Nile on December 1, 2024.
The incident unfolded during a recreational outing at the Nile Resort, where Ssekamanya and his friends had traveled from Kampala for leisure.
According to preliminary reports, the group was playing netball near the riverbank when a ball was accidentally thrown into deeper waters. Ssekamanya attempted to retrieve it but ventured into a dangerous section of the river, where he was quickly overwhelmed and drowned.
Despite frantic efforts by his friends to save him, they were unsuccessful. Shockingly, the group returned to Kampala without notifying authorities, only informing Ssekamanya’s parents of the tragedy the following day.
His family reported the incident to Njeru Police on December 2, prompting a search operation led by local authorities.
Ssezibwa Region Police Spokesperson, SP Hellen Butoto, confirmed that Ssekamanya’s body remains missing and that the operation to retrieve it is ongoing. The police are also investigating the circumstances of the incident and have identified an individual allegedly connected to the tragedy.
“This particular section of the Nile has strong rapids and fast-moving water, which have made rescue and recovery efforts difficult,” SP Butoto noted.
The tragedy has cast a somber mood over the community, highlighting the inherent risks of activities near the River Nile and the importance of prioritizing safety in recreational outings.
