Uganda is witnessing a troubling rise in fatal bathroom accidents, with several prominent figures losing their lives under similar circumstances.
The most recent tragedy occurred yesterday when Hilda Rwabugaya, the manager of Stanbic Bank’s Masindi branch, was found unconscious in the bathroom of her home.
According to reports, Rwabugaya was discovered by her tenants, who rushed her to Supreme Medical Centre in Masindi municipality.
She was later referred to Kitara Medical Centre but tragically passed away before receiving treatment. Neighbors described her as a compassionate and generous person.
“It is devastating news. We have lost someone who supported so many, especially the people of Bujenje,” said Julius Kahira, a former district councillor.
Rwabugaya’s body has since been transferred to Mulago Referral Hospital in Kampala for a post-mortem examination.
This incident is part of an alarming trend of fatal bathroom accidents involving prominent Ugandans. Other victims include:
- Eng. Simon Peter Ssekitoleko, the former assistant commissioner for renewable energy at the energy ministry, who died recently after falling in the bathroom of his residence in Munyonyo, a Kampala suburb. His family described him as a generous and kind-hearted man.
- Patrick Muhumuza Kateihwaho, a respected economist, who slipped in his bathroom at home in Ntinda, Kampala, and was pronounced dead at Kampala Independent Hospital.
- Nasser Ntege Ssebagala, the former Kampala mayor, who passed away in 2020 after a fall in his bathroom. He succumbed to his injuries at International Hospital Kampala.
- Dr. James Sekajugo, a renowned sports doctor, was found dead in his bathtub last year in Bugolobi, Kampala. Sekajugo, a dedicated sports administrator for over 40 years, lived alone at the time of his passing.
- Brig. Gen. Stephen Kigundu, deputy commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Air Force, who died in April last year after a bathroom accident at his residence in Entebbe.
- Joe Wavamuno Kayima, the son of businessman Gordon Wavamuno, who tragically lost his life in a bathroom accident in Thailand.
- A principal chemist from the energy ministry, who slipped and fell in her bathroom in Mukono district in November last year.
Experts Call for Action
Health experts are now sounding the alarm over the risks associated with unsafe bathroom designs. Emmanuel Ainebyoona, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, pointed out that slippery tiles are a frequent cause of these accidents.
“Many people use tiles that are unsuitable for wet surfaces,” Ainebyoona explained.
“Engineers and builders must recommend proper materials to ensure safety, especially in areas like saunas and bathrooms where floors are often wet.”
This rising number of fatalities underscores an urgent need for greater awareness and improved bathroom safety standards.
As more lives are lost, experts stress the importance of taking simple yet effective precautions, such as using non-slip tiles, installing grab bars, and ensuring proper drainage to prevent accidents in homes and workplaces.
Bathroom safety is a critical issue often overlooked, but these tragic incidents highlight the pressing need to address it before more lives are claimed.
