C0011 Uganda

On 15 November 2024, the IRM received and acknowledged receipt of a complaint concerning a fatal drowning incident in south-western Uganda. The complainants are family members of the deceased. The complainants have not requested confidentiality but as a result of the IRM’s risk assessments, and in accordance with the PGs and TOR, the IRM is withholding the identity of complainants in external communications.

The complaint relates to a drowning incident that occurred on 29 September 2024 in Rukiga District in Uganda. The incident involves a 17-year-old boy who was reportedly engaged in informal labour around wetland areas in Bukinda Sub-County, Rukiga District. The incident occurred at a water retention facility that was reportedly under construction, and part of livelihood-support activities being implemented under the GCF-funded project FP034, “Building Resilient Communities, Wetland Ecosystems and Associated Catchments in Uganda” (FP034).

During eligibility determination, the IRM gathered and examined information from complainants and community members. Information that was examined included eyewitness accounts of individuals present in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Family members have raised several concerns related to ongoing harms being experienced as a result of the loss of life. 

On 13 December 2024, the IRM determined the complaint to be eligible. The IRM team will now engage with the complainants to understand the issues in the complaint and to provide further information on the next steps available to process the complaint.