Police in Kanungu District are investigating a sand mine accident that killed two men and left one injured in Katete Sub-county.
The incident occurred on Sunday 4th January at around at a sand mine in Kanyamisinga Village, Nyakashojwa Parish.
The victims were loading sand onto an Isuzu tipper truck, registration UBQ 884U, when a large mass of sand collapsed, burying the vehicle and the men.
One person, Junior Tumwebaze (24), escaped with injuries.
Police confirmed the deceased as Simon Izobaryomwe, 30, a casual labourer, and Umar Mbonigaba, 31, a driver and co-owner of the quarry, both residents of Kanyamisinga Village.
Police and a UPDF Engineering Brigade team recovered Umar’s body by evening according to Kigezi regional police spokesperson Elly Maate.
Efforts to retrieve the second body and the buried truck are ongoing with as excavation tractors have been deployed.
According to residents, the sand quarry has been active for over 20 years and has a record of deadly incidents.
