AGAGO – A 14-year-old pupil of VH public primary school in Lira municipality has died after drowning in River Agago in Kot omor Sub County in Agago district.
Thomas Okello, a pupil of P4B was swept away by the fast flowing river as he attempted to swim in the river.
The father of the deceased, Mr Guido Ocen, a businessman in Lira town told this reporter that he was shocked to hear the news of his son’s death.
“My son who was on holiday went with her mother to visit their maternal grandmother on Wednesday but on Thursday he reportedly went with other children to graze cattle at the shores of River Agago. When he saw other children jumping into the water to swim, he also jumped into the water but he didn’t know how to swim,” he narrated.
He said the body of Okello was recovered on Friday by local divers who pulled it out and reported the matter to local authorities.
He was buried on Saturday at their ancestral home at Alingiri village Omwony lee parish in Otuke district.
The headmaster of VH public primary school Mr Thomas Otema advised parents to take good care of their children while they are home for holidays.
“We are saddened by the death of one of our pupil but my advice to parents is that they should not allow their children to visit their grandparents during holidays because they may not be in position to look after them very well”, Mr Otema told mourners.
This is the second incident to happen in the area in less than a fortnight. Last week an eight months pregnant woman, who was crossing River Aswa to go to the garden with her two daughters died after their boat capsized in the middle of the river. Their bodies were recovered at Awere Bridge in Pader District after frantic search by locals and police. They were residents of Ogot trading centre in Aromo Sub County in Lira District.
