Five illegal miners killed, seven injured in Namayingo gold pit collapse

20 July 2026, 2:42 pm

By Ali Lukomo

A tragic gold mine collapse in Namayingo district has claimed the lives of five illegal miners and left seven others injured, prompting police to launch a manhunt for three suspects linked to the incident.

The territorial police in Namayingo are hunting for Sam, Peter, and Swengere, who are alleged to be the owners of the collapsed gold pits in Mabuka village, Bukana subcounty. The suspects are being investigated for rash and neglectful acts that allegedly led to the deaths and injuries.

The deceased have been identified as Suuna Mohamed Gift, 14, a student at Kifuyo Secondary School in Namayingo district; Sowedi, a resident of Nsango village in Buyinja subcounty; and Wejuli. Two other bodies recovered from the scene have not yet been identified.

The survivors include Kevin Mutangi from Busitema in Busia district, Kirya Edwin, 26, from Tiira in Busia district, Kayolo Alpha, 31, from Busensi in Masaka district, Lubanga Geoffrey, 30, from Namayingo town council, Wabwire Simon, 21, from Mugabe village in Bukana subcounty, Barigye Aron, 26, from Nakijala LCI in Kitumbi subcounty, Kasanda district, and another survivor identified as Geofrey.

According to preliminary investigations, the incident occurred on July 18, 2026, when the suspects allegedly ordered the miners to enter the pits without protective gear. Police say the pits also lacked proper support structures, making them highly vulnerable to collapse.

At approximately 1:00 a.m., the gold pits reportedly caved in, trapping 12 miners about 120 feet underground. The miners were using pipes for oxygen, but the collapse is believed to have caused suffocation.

A police team comprising detectives and officers from the Mineral Protection Police, led by the District Police Commander (DPC), visited the scene shortly after the incident. Five bodies were recovered, while seven miners were rescued and rushed to Buyinja Health Centre IV, Victory Medical Centre in Namayingo, and Masafu Hospital in Busia for treatment.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Buyinja Health Centre IV Mortuary and Masafu Hospital, where they await post-mortem examinations.

Authorities revealed that the gold mining site had previously been closed by the district security committee. However, miners allegedly ignored the closure order and continued operations illegally.

Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collapse and to bring the suspects to justice.