Two men were killed and one narrowly escaped death after a sand quarry collapsed in Katete Sub-county, Kanungu District, on Saturday morning.
The accident happened at about 10:00 a.m. at a sand mining site in Kanyamisinga Village, Nyakashojwa Parish, while the victims were loading sand onto an Isuzu tipper truck, registration number UBQ 884U. During the exercise, a huge heap of sand caved in, burying the truck and the workers beneath it. One worker managed to flee the scene and survived.
Those who died were identified as Simon Izobaryomwe, 30, a casual labourer, and Umar Mbonigaba, 31, a driver and co-owner of the quarry. The survivor was identified as 24-year-old Tumwebaze Junior, also a casual labourer. All are residents of Kanyamisinga Village.
Police were alerted shortly after midday and rushed to the scene. A rescue operation led by Kanungu District Police Commander SP Azira Grace was launched, with support from the UPDF Engineering Brigade, which deployed a wheel loader to help remove the sand.
By evening, rescuers had retrieved the body of Mbonigaba Umar. Police said efforts to recover the second body and the buried truck will continue on Sunday, noting that more heavy equipment is required to complete the operation.
Local leaders expressed concern over the safety of the quarry, saying it has operated for over two decades and has recorded several fatal accidents in the past.
Police have opened a case of rash and negligent act causing death at Katete Police Station. The Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Maate Elly, warned quarry operators and workers to strictly follow safety measures to avoid similar incidents.
