OBONGI. Police in West Nile are investigating the circumstances under which a 24-year-old man drowned in River Nile .
Yusuf Musasizi an employee of Balaam Music Events, drowned during candidate Yoweri Museveni of National Resistance Movement presidential campaigns in Obongi District.
Balaam Music Events is owned by events promoter and the State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Mr Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi.
According to police , Musasizi drowned on October 18, 2025, en route to Adjumani District during a presidential campaign activity event in the area.
President Museveni who has been in power for four decades spent the ending week drumming up support in West Nile sub region as he seeks to extend his rule in the January polls.
It is alleged that on October 18, 2025, at approximately 0930 hours, Musasizi, along with colleagues from Balaam Music Events, travelled from Obongi District to Adjuman District following a presidential campaign event in Obongi. Upon reaching the Obongi ferry, the group crossed safely, leaving behind another group. They arrived at Sinyanya Landing Site in Adjumani District and stopped to relax while awaiting the remaining members still in Obongi,” said Mr Collins Asea, the police spokesperson for North West Nile Region.
Musasizi is said to have left his friends and approached the riverbank, where he attempted to swim, thus drowning.
“He removed his sandals and clothes to bathe. While bathing, Musasizi moved into deeper waters and began swimming, believing the water was shallow. Tragically, he drowned and was swept away by the current of the Nile River,” Mr Asea said.
Rescue efforts were initiated, and divers from Obongi District assisted in recovering the body approximately 200 meters downstream in the Nile River.
“The body has been transported to Adjumani General Hospital for a postmortem examination,” the police publicists said.
Police say they have opened a death investigation file under reference ADJ. DEF 53/2025, and a team of scene of crime officers and homicide detectives from Adjumani Central Police Station (CPS) assigned to further probe Musasizi’s death.
“We appeal to everyone to prioritize their safety and the safety of others, especially during this time of heightened activities,” he said.
Our efforts to get a comment from the minister were futile after one of his aide said he was busy and couldn’t answer phone calls.
However, SP Asea urged the public to be vigilant and take necessary precautions when engaging in water activities.