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At least five people were on Tuesday buried alive following a landslide at a gold mining site in Kyamuhunga sub-county, Bushenyi district in western Uganda.
Authorities identified the deceased as Sensio Twijukye, 30, a resident of Kataruma Cell; Julius Mujurizi, 55, of Kibingo Cell; Stuart Akanyamba, 16, of Kibazi village; Anthony Mugarura, 23, of Butoha Magambo; and Saul Twinomujuni, 25, of Kayanga village.
Bushenyi district police commander (DPC) Felix Mugizi said preliminary investigations indicate that miners had continued operating at the site illegally despite its closure by authorities.
He added that legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible for the unauthorised mining activities. Bushenyi deputy RDC, Donato Kasigazi said investigations are underway to establish whether the site had been officially cleared for use.
He noted that an environmental assessment would also be conducted to determine the cause of the landslide. Kasigazi said the district security committee had resolved to close the site as investigations continue.
Lauben Gumisiriza, a resident of Kayanga Cell and one of the survivors, said about 25 miners were at the site when the earth caved in, burying them under tonnes of soil.
He said he survived because he had just pulled out a basin of soil from underground moments before the collapse. He appealed to government to provide machinery to support safer mining operations.
Robert Mugabe, a resident of Butoha, claimed miners had continued operating at the site illegally despite its closure three years ago. He alleged that some government officials connived with miners and allowed access to the closed mine in exchange for money.
He added that operations had persisted for the past two years despite a government directive ordering the site shut. The incident comes just days after two pupils of St Mary’s primary school in the same area were struck by lightning at the school gate as they returned from home for lunch.
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