In the rugged stone outcrops of Tororo district, the sound of hammers hitting rock is more than just background noise, it’s a lifeline.
For over a decade, stone quarrying has provided a source of survival for persons with disabilities like Lawrence Othieno, who braves the harsh conditions daily to support his family.
“I began this quarrying work some ten years ago,” says Othieno, a member of the Morkiswa Stone Quarrying Association. “It has really helped me and my family for school fees, for survival.”
But the job comes with significant challenges. Most artisanal miners work without any protective gear, exposing themselves to frequent injuries from flying stones and debris.
“I go through a lot here,” Othieno adds. “These small stones sometimes hit my face and hands because I work without protective gear.”
According to John Odoi, the Secretary for Natural Resources in Tororo, the district is home to numerous rock outcrops, where thousands of residents engage in informal mining under risky conditions.
“We've received several reports of flying stones injuring workers, some have even lost their lives,” Odoi reveals.
In an effort to improve safety, Robert Ochieng, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has stepped in to provide much-needed protective equipment.
The donation includes gloves, gumboots, hammers, wheelbarrows, and spades.
“In the past, there were frequent accidents here,” Ochieng explains. “Through my collaboration with UNDP, we managed to lobby for these items to help safeguard our people.”
Ochieng’s initiative also extends to environmental conservation. Tree seedlings have been procured for reforestation, and miners are now receiving training on occupational safety.
Tororo District Chairperson, John Okea, welcomed the support but stressed the need for more intervention from the central government. He appealed for a stone crusher machine to be provided to the miners to ease their workload and reduce risks further.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner Tororo, Aidah Kigeni, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting persons with disabilities through various programs.
“A number of projects have been initiated by the government to support persons with disabilities, such as the Parish Development Model and other grants to improve their welfare,” Kigeni said.
As quarrying continues to be both a livelihood and a risk, recent interventions have offered a glimmer of hope for these resilient workers carving out a future, one stone at a time.