A 21-year-old mother and her seven-year-old daughter have drowned in a community well in Rakai District after the mother reportedly attempted to rescue the child who had fallen into the water.
The deceased have been identified as Olivia Nakibirango, 21, and her daughter, Majorine Nanyange, 7.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening in Kyaluwakula Village, Lwanda Sub-county.
According to residents, Nanyange had gone to the community well with other children to fetch water when she reportedly slipped and fell into the well.
The children returned home and alerted residents about the incident.
Nakibirango then rushed to the well and reportedly entered the water in an attempt to rescue her daughter but also drowned.
A farmer working in a nearby tomato garden reportedly responded after residents raised the alarm and attempted to rescue the two, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
Police later recovered the bodies and handed them over to the family for burial.
Southern Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers faced by rural communities that depend on open and poorly protected water sources, particularly children who often collect water without adult supervision.
Authorities have urged parents and guardians to ensure young children are accompanied when collecting water from wells, springs and other potentially dangerous water sources.
