Police in Kassanda District have launched investigations into a mining accident that claimed one life and left three others seriously injured after a gold pit collapsed on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at the Kabada gold ore mining site in Bukuya Town Council at around 8:30 a.m., as dozens of artisanal miners had reported for their early morning shift.
According to officers from the Police Mineral Protection Unit (PMPU) attached to Kagawa Detach, the pit collapsed suddenly, trapping several miners beneath unstable soil.
The Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, SSP Lameck Kigozi, described the scene as distressing, noting that police worked alongside local responders to rescue the trapped miners.
“When our officers arrived, the situation was alarming. We immediately called for reinforcement from Kasanda Police Station, and together we managed to rescue several trapped individuals,” SSP Kigozi said.
Police confirmed that one miner died on the spot. The deceased was identified as Manishimu Yokana, a Rwandan national. His body was retrieved and taken to Kasanda Health Centre IV for a postmortem examination.
Three other miners sustained serious injuries in the collapse. They were identified as Kasule, Aaron Tirimanya, and Andrew Mike. The injured miners are currently receiving medical treatment.
Preliminary investigations suggest that continuous rainfall may have weakened the soil structure, contributing to the collapse.
“The rains have softened the ground and may have played a role in the pit collapse. However, we are still conducting thorough investigations to establish the exact cause,” SSP Kigozi explained.
Police have issued a strong warning to miners operating in hazardous pits without proper safety measures.
“We urge all those involved in gold mining to take safety precautions seriously and regularly assess the stability of the ground they are working in,” Kigozi cautioned.
He added that pit collapses have become more frequent during the rainy season, as waterlogged soil easily gives way.
“We appeal to miners to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary risks, especially during heavy rains,” he said.
Police further called on mining communities to prioritize safety training, follow professional guidance, and work closely with local authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
