A British newlywed was tragically slain as he rushed into the River Nile to save his 12-year-old kid during a safari lodge vacation.
Wednesday at around 6:40 p.m., Robert Kaweesi, a 48-year-old father of five from Birmingham, plunged into the River Nile after his kid went swimming. During their three-week excursion, the family allegedly slept at the Gipir and Labongo Safari Lodge on the riverbank in the northern Ugandan town of Pakwach.
“Police divers have just found the corpse of Robert Kaweesi from the River Nile,” Josephine Angucia, the local police spokesman, told the Nile Post.
She said, “They are in the process of transporting the corpse to Pakwach health centre IV for an autopsy.” When they went swimming in the river, the son was overcome by the waves, according to the authorities. The dead perished while attempting to save his son, who was saved.
Sylivia Nampijja, Kaweesi’s 26-year-old daughter, described her father as a “wonderful man” who would “do everything for anyone.”
First-time public speaker Sylivia stated, “He was eager to do anything for everyone.” He was constantly smiling. He was a nice father who adored his children.’
The Ugandan-born father of five worked as a contractor for air conditioning and refrigeration and was a British citizen.
He divided his time between his Birmingham house, which he shared with his eldest daughter, and Luton, Bedfordshire, where he worked and lived with his wife Justine Katantazi, his three boys, ages 12, 13, and 15, and their daughter, age nine.
The couple allegedly tied the knot in early August.
Miss Nampijja told BirminghamLive, “When they got at the resort, there was a body of water that was part of the River Nile.”
The youngsters became delighted and rushed in, but they were unaware of the depth. My father spotted one of the lads struggling and gasping for air, so he dove in after him.
‘According to what I’ve been informed, two other individuals also attempted to save him. Everyone was focused on the infant, and no one first noticed that my father was absent.
“When I received the phone call informing me that he was gone, I assumed it was a prank. But as time passed, I realized the gravity of the situation. He had not been seen for two nights. The hunt had to cease at 9 p.m. on the first night due to the darkness.
“When I called the embassy that evening, I was informed that they would contact me with any changes. They called me at 6 a.m. [on Friday] to confirm the discovery of a body.
“My stepmother and the children are still in Uganda, and I am quite concerned for their safety.” We are attempting to extend their flights and visas since they were originally scheduled to return home on Monday of next week.
The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development office of the United Kingdom acknowledged that a British man died in Uganda.
A representative stated, “We are assisting the family of a British guy who passed away in Uganda and are in communication with local authorities.”