Casual Labourer dies in underground tank in Kasese

Edward Makanika and Fahad Masereka-Kasese

Police in Kasese District is investigating circumstances under which a casual labourer was discovered dead in an underground tank.

The incident occurred yesterday at around 9pm at Kamwe Kamwe Bar and lodge in Kasese town.

The deceased was confirmed as Chris Muhindo aged 22 years and a resident of Kighenge village in Kahokya sub-county.

The Kasese Divisional Police Commander, Dickens Okello said that he received a call from the area manager at around 11pm informing him that a casual labourer working at the ongoing underground tank had failed to come out.

According to Okello, he waited until morning to retrieve the body of the deceased.

One of the casual workers said that they were four people constructing an 85 feet up hrust tank at Kamwe Kamwe lodge in Kasese town.

He said it was the first time for the deceased to do such work after he had been directed by their main mason.

Still narrating he said that they had spent close to three days trying to work as it was planned but they had been stopped due to lack of enough oxygen during the day. This prompted them to resort to working during night hours.

He said that they normally use a pulley system to go to the underground area. The deceased tied his himself very well to go and do the work as directed but after few minutes he asked to be pulled out but the rope they were using loosened and gave way.

The police together with the management of Kamwe Kamwe lodge, retrieved the body at round 11 am and transferred it to Kasese Health Center III mortuary awaiting a postmortem report.

The area councillor for Kisanga A ward, Lusenge Thembo, advised the casual labourers and the developers to always be sensitive while constructing such dangerous projects.

According to the site construction engineer, the 85 feet tank was constructed to store water for construction works at the site.