Illegal gold mine collapses: 5 dead, 7 injured

20 July 2026, 2:42 pm

Ali lukomo

The territorial police in Namayingo are hunting for three suspects in connection with Rash and Neglect act that led to the death of five local gold miners and left seven others injured at an illegal mining site. The suspects, identified as Sam, Peter, and Swengere, are the owners of the collapsed gold pits where the deceased and injured were trapped.

Deceased Victims:
Suuna Mohamed Gift, 14, a student at Kifuyo S.S, Namayingo District.

Sowedi, a resident of Nsango Village, Buyinja Sub County, Namayingo District.

Wejuli, with two unidentified bodies.

Survivors:
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, Bukana Sub County, Namayingo District.

Barigye Aron, 26, from Nakijala LCI, Kitumbi Sub County, Kasanda District and one identified as Geofrey.

This incident took place in Mabuka village, Bukana sub-county, Namayingo district.

Initial findings suggest that on July 18, 2026, the suspects ordered the deceased and victims to enter the gold pits without protective gear, and the pits lacked proper support structures. At approximately 1:00 AM, the pits collapsed, burying 12 illegal miners approximately 120 feet deep. They were using pipes for oxygen, but the collapse led to suffocation.

A police team, including detectives and members of the Mineral Protection Police, led by the District Police Commander (DPC), visited the scene. Five bodies were recovered, and seven were rescued, with the survivors taken to Buyinja Health Center IV, Victory Medical Centre, Namayingo, and Masafu Hospital in Busia. The bodies of the deceased are at Buyinja Health Center IV Mortuary and Masafu, awaiting post-mortem.

The gold mining site had been closed by the district security committee, but miners ignored the order.

Ongoing investigations aim to uncover more details