Lira, Uganda | Police in Lira City are investigating the alleged drowning of a technician who reportedly died while repairing a drilled water source in Lira East Division.
According to police, the incident occurred on March 10, 2026, at about 3:30pm in Ireda Central Park Cell, Ireda West Ward.
The North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, said the deceased, only identified as Boy, had gone with a colleague to the home of Oscar Oula to repair a drilled water hole.
Okema said the technician entered the drilled water hole as part of the repair process while his colleague remained outside.
Moments later, the colleague reportedly saw the deceased waving his hands and calling for help from inside the hole.
“In an attempt to rescue him, the colleague also entered the drilled water hole but soon became unconscious due to the conditions inside,” Okema said.
The colleague was later retrieved from the hole and rushed to hospital for medical attention.
Police fire and rescue teams responded to the scene and were working to evacuate the body of the deceased from the drilled water hole, which is estimated to be about 40 feet deep.
Preliminary information gathered at the scene indicates that the technician entered the hole without an oxygen cylinder and may have suffocated while inside the confined space.
Okema said investigations into the incident are ongoing and the body will be taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination once it is retrieved.
Police have cautioned members of the public and technicians involved in borehole and well repairs to observe safety precautions and use proper protective equipment when working in confined spaces to prevent similar incidents.