At least five people have been reduced to statistics after being buried alive in stone rubbles at Namulanda, Wakiso district quarry site. The incident happened yesterday at 18:30hours when half a quarry site caved on them as they loaded hardcore stones on an Isuzu Forward with registration number UBL456T.
Assistant Superintendent of Police -ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, has identified the deceased as Abdu Number 35, the driver of the Isuzu Forward on which the hardcore stones were being loaded.
Others who have perished in the tragic incident include Ronald Kagwa 30, Vicent Kasule, Junior Irumba 24, and Positano Lubogo 39 years. Apart from Nsumba, the rest were casual laborers.
“Investigations into the matter are on to ascertain what happened. We however advise members of the public in the surrounding area to avoid moving to the quarry as it is currently a threat to the lives of those occupying it,” Owoyesigyire said.
In June this year, Dan Muhereza 27, was buried alive in Rubanda district at a quarry where he was mining stones for a living. The incident happened at Murambo II village, Kitojo ward, Bubaare town council.
Similarly, in June last year, three people were buried alive at a stone quarry in Karuma town council, Kiryandongo district. Police and locals identified the deceased as David Otingcwinywa aged 23, Cwinyaai James 39, and Boy 33. In addition, two others survived with three injuries and these included Alfred Obwot and Rodgers Opar.
The victims were extracting construction aggregates for sale when the soil developed deep cracks forcing the rocks to roll down and buried them.