Drowning remains a silent public health challenge in Uganda. The Justice & Development Council (JDC) works with communities, schools, local governments, and global partners to promote water safety, train responders, and advocate for stronger policies. This page documents our journey, stories, and impact. This includes;
- Journalists Trainings
- Laws, Policies and Legal Framework for Drowning in Uganda
- Articles and story
Journalists Training
The Justice & Development Council (JDC) continues to champion drowning prevention through media empowerment.
Over the past months, JDC has trained journalists across Uganda to strengthen accurate, life-saving reporting on water safety.
Through hands-on workshops, field exposure, and data-driven learning, journalists have gained:
🟦 Deeper understanding of drowning risks and evidence-based prevention
🟦 Skills to report responsibly and amplify community voices
🟦 Tools to highlight policy gaps, local stories, and proven interventions
This work is already shaping stronger public awareness, better storytelling, and a more informed national conversation on water safety.
For more details, visit the links below for the overviews on the journalists training.
- First Journalists Training https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C3qA2nDxPTqwMBTrpOaiymR0YYd-zszV
- Second Journalists Training https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1P4xGIiascTi-3xJX2mkB7d2FAqJd_qRS
- Third Journalists Training https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h_yWCUQY0BoyTLEUw2UwNf2dHTk8Jlyj
Laws, Policies and Legal Framework for Drowning in Uganda
Uganda currently lacks a comprehensive national policy and regulatory framework specifically addressing drowning prevention and water safety. While several government ministries and agencies play a role in water safety, there is limited coordination among them, leading to fragmented efforts. The enforcement of existing water safety regulations, such as the mandatory use of life jackets in water transport, remains weak due to inadequate monitoring and compliance mechanisms. Additionally, there are no standardized national guidelines for swimming instruction, water safety education, or emergency response to drowning incidents.
The following are some of the law, policies and legal framework around water safety and drowning prevention.
- The Inland Water Transport Act 2021
- Occupational Safety and Health Amendment Act 2025
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2023
- Water Act Cap 152
- National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management
- National transport policy
- Uganda Wildlife Act 2019
Read and Download the Inland Water Transport Act 2021 through https://jdcuganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Inland-Water-Transport-Act-2021.pdf
Read and Download the Occupational Safety and Health Amendment Act 2025 through https://jdcuganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Occupational-Safety-and-Health-Amendment-Bill-2023.pdf
Read and Download the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2023 through https://jdcuganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Fisheries-and-Acquaculture-Act-2023.pdf
Read and Download the Water Act Cap 152 through https://jdcuganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/water_act.pdf
Read and Download the National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management through https://jdcuganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Disaster-Policy-for-Uganda.pdf
Read and Download the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 through https://jdcuganda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Uganda-Widlife-Amendment-Act-2024.pdf
Stories on Drowning Prevention
Ugandan journalists are shaping the national conversation on drowning prevention, story by story.
Thanks to strengthened capacity and growing awareness, more media houses are now publishing powerful pieces that uncover the realities of drowning in Uganda and the solutions within reach.
These stories have:
🟦 Brought visibility to high-risk communities and overlooked incidents
🟦 Highlighted local innovations, community responders, and lifesaving practices
🟦 Exposed policy gaps while amplifying calls for stronger water safety measures
🟦 Driven public engagement on drowning as a preventable public health issue
Each published article is more than a story—it’s a step toward safer waters for all Ugandans.
Kudos to the journalists turning their platforms into tools for prevention and change.
