KCCA engineers arrested for okaying construction of collapsed building without plan

Two KCCA officials have been arrested by police to help in investigations over the collapsed building in Makindye, a Kampala suburb.

A four storied building at Kelezia zone, Makindye division collapsed on Friday evening.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, two officials including a physical planner and building inspector are in police custody at Katwe division to help in investigatons.

“Two KCCA officials including Anne Achom, the Makindye division Physical Planner and Joseph Balikuddembe, a building inspector have been arrested to help in investigations,” Onyango said.

He added that the two KCCA officials knew about the construction of the building without any approved plan and proceeded to stop the construction but later reversed the order.

“Achom and Balikuddembe allegedly went to the site and issued a notice to stop the construction but later on they went and removed it and allowed them to proceed,” Onyango said.

He added that Police are still looking for the owner of the building and his engineers who are on the run.

Incident

Onyango said that the Katwe Divisional Police Commander, Benson Byaruhanga was informed of the collapse and that eight people had been trapped under the rubbles inside the basement of the building prompting him to rush to the scene.

“According to information that was availed to the police, the building belongs to Mr Kagolo a Businessman at Kikuubo. A team of police officers responded to the scene and were later joined by Police Fire Brigade. On arrival at the scene, police were further informed that that the victims were still talking and calling for help,” Onyango said.

The Kampala police spokesperson cited on Alex who was calling his sister for rescue and later one Godfrey Oonyu, 22 a teacher who had been working as a potter at the site was retrieved but he insisted many of his colleagues were still trapped under the collapsed building.

The police publicist noted that works to search for other missing persons are still going on with the help of an excavator brought by KCCA.