Residents of Maganjo in Kawempe Division, Wakiso District, are in shock following the death of a man who drowned in a water-filled quarry pit under circumstances believed to involve illness and an accidental fall.
The deceased, identified only as Ntulume, reportedly went to work early in the morning at a nearby stone quarry where he was engaged in breaking stones—a common livelihood activity in the area.
Eyewitnesses say Ntulume may have been unwell at the time and could have slipped into one of the deep quarry pits that had accumulated large volumes of water.
It is believed that he struck his head against rocks during the fall, which may have contributed to his death.
Residents rushed to the scene but were unable to retrieve the body due to the pit’s depth and dangerous conditions.
Police were later notified, and a specialized rescue team successfully recovered the body for further examination.
Local Council Chairperson Hajji Jaberi Musoke described the death as a painful loss for the community.
“This incident has shocked us as leaders and residents. Losing a young man in such circumstances is very painful for the community,” he said.
Musoke added that village leadership plans to engage quarry owners to address safety concerns, including possibly suspending operations temporarily.
A friend of the deceased, Tonny, who had been working with Ntulume earlier, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
Residents also raised concerns about the safety of water-filled pits and called on authorities and quarry operators to implement stronger safety measures, such as restricting access to hazardous areas, draining pits, and providing protective guidelines for workers.
The incident has renewed calls for stricter regulation and improved safety standards at informal quarry sites, many of which operate without adequate safeguards for workers and nearby communities.
