Uganda Participates in World's Largest Swimming Lesson on Friday 20th June 2014, Graced by Division Mayor Entebbe Division imrI (Anthony Ssegujja).

The World Largest Swimming Lesson aimed at creating awareness after realizing that drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury related death for children ages 1-5, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14.

Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1 to 4, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

The event in Uganda was organized by Royal Life Saving Society Uganda in Partnership with proprietors of two venues -one in Seeta Forest Kindergarten and one in Aero Beach in Entebbe.

The event started in Seeta Forest Kindergarten involved 300 children from Seeta Forest Kindergarten, Namugongo primary and some children from Entebbe - this was handled by Yasin as an Instructor initially, the children were to have done the lesson before 6:00pm EAT (3:00 GMT), but the 78 of the children from Seeta Forest Kindergarten, Namugongo primary decided to remain and participate at the 3:00 GMT to 3:30 GMT (6:00 PM-6:30 PM EAT).

While in Aero Beach, since the number of the Beach owners were busy, most of Royal Life saving Society were in Aero Beach and this included; Dr Mubarack Nassur the Vice Chairperson of Royal Life Saving Society Uganda, Mathews Ochola the Coordinator for the event, David Dralega, Julius Eumu, Andemani Austin, Peter Wateya, Toko Gadaffi and some of the children team from previous training, that included Emmanuel Muhendo (Lame) and Opesent.

The event at the venue of Aerol Beach was flooded by about 4600 Beach goers according to records from the manager, but those who actuallly took part in the event were only 80 - mainly two schools –Kugungu and Ge-seph Primary school.

The event started at 6:00pm (3:00 GMT), flagged by a whistle by Royal Life Saving Society Vice Chairperson Dr Mubarack Nasur, the children were taken through the 30 minutes syllabus. It was then closed by the Division Mayor Entebbe Division imr (Anthony Segujja).

The syllabus, that was covered with the 30 minutes in the two venues, was:

1.	Introduction of Event Guidelines, Lesson Objectives & Instructors
2.	Safety – General Overview of Water Safety Awareness Messages and Key Skills
3.	Entry – Overview of Safe Entry into Water and a Review of Entry Hazards
4.	Breathing / Submerging – Learn to Comfortably Submerge Face and Hold Breath Underwater
5.	Floating – Teach Front / Back Floating Skills (Assisted or unassisted based on swimmer
	skill level)
6.	Strokes – Teach Basic Locomotion and Stroke Component Skills
7.	Lesson in Aero Beach ended by another whistle by The Division Mayor/LCimr

The Division Mayor Entebbe Division imr (Anthony Ssegujja) stated that: "Drowning is a problem in the Area since it is within Lake Victoria. I appreciate such initiatives, that aim at reducing drowning and promise to give support wherever possible and within my means."

We hope that the event for next year will have more numbers and countries involved, since this was the first time for Africa and in particular for Uganda to be involved.

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