Scores Trapped After Munyonyo Building Collapses

A rescue operation is ongoing to recover at least 5 people believed to be still trapped in the rubble following the collapse of a building under construction in Munyonyo, a plush Kampala suburb.

According to police and eye witnesses, poor workmanship is to blame for the building’s collapse.

The four storey building collapsed Sunday morning. Police’s Fire Brigade and Rescue Services are racing against time to rescue at least five people believed still trapped in the rubble.

According to eye witnesses, the building’s structures gave way shortly after 11am. One of the survivors Elvis Kasirye, a mason narrated to NBS how the building went down.

Police has so far counted 22 survivors who were at the construction site at the time of the accident.

It is not clear how many people are still buried in the rubble although it is estimated at least five masons and potters are missing.

Preliminary investigations are on to establish the possible cause for the structure’s collapse.

Hamis Ssegawa an Engineer says the building was bound to collapse. He says the first two floors were constructed with weak columns and lacked max pans to hold the building steady.

The Chairperson Mawanga Zone, Munyonyo Eric Nyanzi told NBS the site engineer had not consulted enough with the village leadership.

The building is believed to belong to Patrick Byashafiki, who has allegedly gone in hiding.

Excavations were still ongoing by press time.

Story by Paul Kayonga