Nyanza: Hotel security guard dies after drowning in swimming pool
A tragic incident occurred at Urubuto Hotel, formerly known as Dayenu Hotel, located in Nyanza town, Busasamana Sector, where a hotel security guard lost his life after drowning in the hotel’s swimming pool.
The incident happened on Friday, January 16, 2026. Journalists who visited the scene observed an unusual atmosphere at the hotel, with several workers absent from duty. Some employees reportedly failed to report to work out of fear of being arrested, while others were already in custody or had fled from security agencies.
Access to the hotel swimming pool had been restricted, with visible signs indicating that it was temporarily closed.
According to reliable information, the deceased, who had been working the night shift, arrived for duty in the afternoon of January 15, 2026, and changed clothes with a colleague. Shortly afterward, he went to swim in the pool, a facility that employees are allowed to use free of charge. Unfortunately, he drowned during the exercise.
The deceased has been identified as Charles Nzabihimana , aged 45, a married man with children.
Speaking to the media, the Southern Province Police Spokesperson, CIP Hassan Kamanzi, said that upon receiving the information, police officers, together with the Criminal Investigation Department, immediately went to the scene and launched investigations.
He added that inquiries are still ongoing and that a man and a woman, believed to be the hotel owners, along with several other employees, have been arrested for questioning, while some staff members reportedly fled from security authorities.
The body of the deceased was transferred to Nyanza Hospital for post-mortem examination.
This is not the first fatal incident to occur in the hotel’s swimming pool. In 2017, two students from IGIHOZO Saint Peter Secondary School also lost their lives while swimming at the same facility.
Police have once again urged hotel owners, especially those operating swimming pools, to strengthen safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
