A cloud of grief has settled over Kyasioni Village in Ikombe Sub-County after a 20-year-old man drowned at Solai Dam during Boxing Day celebrations on Friday.
The deceased was part of a group of local youth who had visited the water body in the afternoon to unwind and enjoy the festive season. What began as a joyful holiday outing, however, turned into a harrowing ordeal when the young man ventured into the dam for a swim and failed to resurface.
Witnesses who spoke to Channel 15 News at the scene described the victim as being in high spirits before the tragedy struck. He was reportedly swimming alongside several friends when he suddenly became overwhelmed and suffocated in the water. Despite the presence of his peers, the situation escalated too quickly for a successful rescue.
Police officers from Mmatuu Police Station were alerted and arrived at the dam shortly after, where they led the operation to retrieve the body. The remains were subsequently moved to Mbaku Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the precise cause of death.
The incident has left the Kyasioni community in shock, serving as a somber reminder of the dangers posed by open water bodies during the holiday season. Local authorities have confirmed that they have launched official investigations into the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
