Pathways to mitigate drowning Casualties
We’re here to help
The Balanced Boat Alliance (BBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing and ultimately eradicating drowning incidents across Uganda and Africa. Growing up along the river Nile in Jinja, Uganda, our founders witnessed the tragic loss of lives to drowning, often caused by limited access to swimming skills and water safety knowledge. Despite Africa’s abundance of water bodies, including over 150 large lakes and 55 major rivers like the Nile, Congo, Zambezi, and Limpopo, nearly 90% of Africans cannot swim and the majority live with aquaphobia, leading to a high risk of fatal drownings. BBA was established by local individuals who are passionate about water activities and driven to make a difference. Our aim is to raise awareness about the drowning epidemic in the region, provide swimming lessons, and promote water safety across communities, particularly those reliant on water bodies for transportation, fishing, or recreation. Through BBA, we are bringing life-saving resources to communities, ensuring more people gain the skills they need to stay safe in and around water.
Founder
Nathan is a seasoned whitewater kayaker, swift water rescue expert, and advocate for drowning prevention with over 18 years of experience navigating some of the world’s most challenging rivers. His passion for water safety stems from his own journey, having grown up as a non-swimmer and only learning to swim at the age of 19, alongside his first experience in a kayak. During this formative period, he witnessed the often-overlooked dangers of water environments, encountering numerous water accidents and tragic drownings that left an indelible mark on him. With extensive experience spanning rivers across Uganda, Zambia, Canada, and the USA, he has built a profound understanding of water safety, informed by both local and international experiences. This expertise has laid the foundation for his dedication to preventing drowning fatalities and bridging the gap in water safety education. As a founder of the Balanced Boat Alliance, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Jinja, Uganda, that offers life-saving swimming lessons, water rescue training, and community education initiatives. He addresses a pressing need for drowning prevention across Africa, where access to swimming and water safety resources remains limited. His mission extends beyond Uganda, with the goal of expanding Balanced Boat Alliance’s programs throughout the continent to combat the epidemic of drowning that impacts countless communities. Driven by his experiences and a deep commitment to saving lives, He is dedicated to building a team of skilled water safety professionals and expanding water education in high-risk areas.
Nathan Tunabaitamu
Founder and Visionary - Balanced Boat Foundation
We advocate on a wide range of drowning prevention and water safety issues through targeted campaigns, educating communities about the risks of drowning and prevention strategies, reaching over 5 million people.
Balanced Boat Alliance Member
Meet The Team
Emmanuel Kintu
Community Mobiliser
Emmanuel Kintu has built a diverse career as a motor vehicle mechanic and in the hospitality industry. However, a tragic loss of a family member to drowning profoundly impacted him, igniting a passion to address this critical issue. In response, he joined forces with BBA to combat the drowning epidemic. As a dedicated volunteer and community mobilizer, Emmanuel focuses on organizing outreach initiatives and ensuring that individuals are equipped with life jackets and understand their importance. His commitment to this cause reflects a deep emotional drive to protect others and prevent similar tragedies.
Resty Kampi
Vice Principal, Sr. Chemistry Teacher
Resty Kampi is a devoted businesswoman, mother of two boys, and talented barista. Growing up by the River Nile, she witnessed the tragic impact of drowning incidents, which deeply affected her as a mother. Inspired by the Balanced Boat Alliance (BBA), she felt compelled to address this pressing issue.
In her administrative role, Resty actively advocates for the “Swim to Survive” campaign, a vital initiative of BBA. Her dedication to promoting water safety reflects her personal commitment to protecting future generations from similar tragedies.
Joseph Kasibe
Senior Legal Adviser
Joseph Kasibe, a seasoned litigator, has gathered extensive experience in handling cases related to water accidents, many of which have resulted in fatalities. Recognizing the urgent need to address this often overlooked crisis, Mr. Kasibe has joined Balanced Boat Alliance (BBA) as a Senior Legal Advisor. In this capacity, he aims to contribute to vital initiatives designed to mitigate the impact of these catastrophic incidents.