Boy, 8, drowns during Kuomboka ceremonies, as police describe event as crime-free

A Grade 8 boy at a named School within Mongu District identified as Siyanga Mukololo of Mongu’s Ilute compound has died after drowning.

Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, said the boy reportedly attempted to swim from one side of the harbour to the area where the Kuomboka Royal Boat was scheduled to dock.

Hamoonga in a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday stated that the incident happened on April 20, 2024, around 15:00 hours.

“Frantic efforts by Police Marine officers to save his life proved futile. Marine officers managed to retrieve the lifeless body at 16:45 hours,” he said.

Hamoonga stated that Mukololo was rushed to Lewanika General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He said the body was deposited in the same hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.

“However, Police have since opened an inquiry file into the matter,” Hamoonga said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police In-Charge of Operations, Milner Muyambango has described this year’s Kuomboka Ceremony as crime-free.

Muyambango commended Police officers involved in policing the ceremony for their professionalism and commitment to duty.

The Deputy Police Chief, who oversaw the security of the ceremony, noted that there was no report of illegal activities before and during the colourful event.

He thanked members of the public in Mongu and Limulunga Districts for coordinating well with Police officers and other security personnel in order to ensure that peace and order prevailed.

The Deputy Police Chief said he was happy with the way Police officers conducted themselves before and during the ceremony.

“We are happy with the professionalism and commitment exhibited by our officers who we deployed to police the ceremony in Mongu and Limulunga Districts,” Muyambango said.

“We have heightened patrols especially in Mongu District and surrounding areas in order to maintain peace,” he added.

Muyambango confirmed that Police officers in Mongu District recorded one case of drowning in which a 13-year-old boy died after drowning at Mulamba harbour.

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