Every year, countless lives are lost to drowning in Uganda, a silent crisis that often goes unnoticed. But one organization is making waves to change that. Sauti Plus Media Hub has been honored with the prestigious Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) Award for its groundbreaking Omanyi Okuwuga campaign, a two-year initiative that tackles the rising tide of drowning incidents head-on. This isn’t just about handing out awards—it’s about saving lives and reshaping how communities interact with water.
At the 9th PRAU Excellence Awards 2025, Sauti Plus Media Hub clinched the Best Not-for-profit Campaign title, celebrated during a ceremony on December 4, 2025, at Kampala’s Protea Hotel. PRAU praised the campaign for its innovative use of marketing and communication to address Uganda’s socio-economic challenges, proving that strategic outreach can drive real change. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a campaign truly transform behaviors deeply rooted in tradition and lack of awareness? Sauti Plus believes it can.
Omanyi Okuwuga, implemented in partnership with Reach A Hand Uganda and other allies, focuses on high-risk districts like Mayuge, Masaka, and Rakai, where drowning remains a persistent threat due to limited awareness and unsafe practices. The campaign doesn’t just preach safety—it equips communities with practical skills. By promoting swimming as a vital life skill and emphasizing water-safety precautions like wearing life jackets and avoiding overcrowded boats, it’s shifting mindsets one community at a time.
And this is the part most people miss: The initiative doesn’t stop at public awareness. It leverages both traditional and digital media platforms to reach every corner of the country, conducts school and community outreaches, and even provides survival-swimming lessons. But it goes further, advocating for systemic change—pushing for swimming lessons in the national school curriculum, stricter enforcement of water-safety regulations, and improved emergency response systems. Is this overreach, or the bold action needed to save lives?
Despite a slight decline in drowning cases in 2024, as noted in the Uganda Police annual crime report, drowning remains the leading water-related cause of death in Uganda. A 2016-2018 study by Makerere University School of Public Health recorded over 1,435 fatal and non-fatal drowning cases across 60 districts, highlighting the urgent need for campaigns like Omanyi Okuwuga. While progress is being made, the question remains: Are we doing enough?
Sauti Plus’s award-winning campaign is more than a recognition—it’s a call to action. It challenges us to rethink water safety, invest in prevention, and advocate for policies that protect the most vulnerable. What do you think? Is drowning prevention a matter of personal responsibility, or should it be a national priority? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep this conversation afloat.
