Man falls in trench, dies; Family want KCCA to compensate them

A 44-year-old man died on Saturday after falling into a trench in Mutungo Zone III in Kampala, prompting his family to demand that Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) foot burial expenses.

Lwande Haddu Henry fell in the Kanywankoko trench at around 11:00PM on Saturday. Masinde Stephen, a brother of the deceased says Haddu was coming from the burial of another relative with other colleagues. As they walked back home at night, a speeding vehicle forced them to scamper for safety at a sharp corner on Mutungo Ring Road. He says Haddu fell in Kanywankoko trench and died instantly.

"The vehicle was at a high speed and it nearly knocked them. He collapsed into the trench as he tried to get off the road. The trench is over 20 feet deep and it is full of running water," Masinde says.

Masinde says they wanted to carry the deceased's body to the home of Nakawa Division Mayor, Balimwezo Ronald Nsubuga, but the mayor promised that they would be given money to transfer the body to Haddu's ancestral home in Busia district.

Balimwezo wrote to KCCA Executive Director on Sunday morning requesting for Uganda Shillings 3.1 million to help the family in burial arrangements.

"As I write this letter, there are over 40 angry residents (mainly Samia community) at my residence who are demanding a way forward and I am also telling them that I am writing to KCCA promising to get back to them on Monday," Balimwezo noted in the letter.

Masinde, accompanied by relatives, stormed Nakawa Division offices today demanding for an answer as the council convened for end of year meet-up. Masinde says they are running out of patience and the body is still at Mulago Hospital Mortuary.

The wife of the deceased, Taaka Annet, who came from Busia yesterday after learning about her husband's death, says all they need now is promised assistance to take the body in the village for burial. Taaka says her husband left her with nothing since he is the one who has been looking for money to feed the family and pay school fees for their six children.

On August 4th this year, a street vendor identified as Olivia Basemera fell in Nakivubo channel and drowned while running away from KCCA law enforcement officers. Eyewitnesses said Basemera was vending handkerchiefs when she was confronted by KCCA law enforcement officers. She reportedly jumped into the Nakivubo Channel in a desperate attempt to escape.

Four KCCA law enforcement officers are currently battling charges of manslaughter in court in connection to the death. The four are Tito Kigiro, Eria Waswa, Moses Tebyasa and Farouk Mpima.