Parents and guardians living near water bodies should monitor the movement of children to avoid cases of drowning. The call was made by the Mayor of Bugesera District, Louis Rwagajufollowing Wednesday's incident in which two teenage girls drowned in River Akagera.

Triphine Nyirabuhazi and Clemantine Dushimimana, all aged 15, reportedly drowned while trying to fish. The deceased were residents of Juru Sector of Bugesera District. Rwagaju blamed parents' neglect for most such cases in the district. "The recent case was a misfortune... it is unusual for people to fish in a river. And as if that was not a surprising enough, it was girls doing the fishing. In Rwanda's culture, girls rarely go fishing," Rwagaju said.

"Parents should always accompany the underage, whenever they move to lakes or rivers. It is great irresponsibility for a parent to allow children to play around such areas."

Benjamin Nzaba Muhimuzi, Juru sector leader, underlined the need to protect children from the water bodies.

He urged parents and all adults to keep constant watch on children when they're around water bodies, especially young children. "Nothing is more tragic and painful than the untimely death of a child or youth. We lost two young girls due to parental negligence," he said.

Bugesera District is home to three lakes and nine rivers.