BUSHENYI, UGANDA – Police have directed the public to halt all mining activities at a gold mining site in Kyamuhunga, Bushenyi District, following the death of five people who were hit by collapsing soil in the mining pit.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The accident, which occurred at around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, resulted in the deaths of Mugarura Anthony, 23; Twizukye Sansio, 30; Mujurizi Julius, 55; Akanyamba Stuart, 16; and Saul Twinomujuni, 25.
The deceased were all residents of Magambo, Kayanga, Kyibingo, and Kataruma villages, all located in Kibazi Parish, Kyamuhunga Sub-County, Bushenyi District.
The Bushenyi District Police Commander (DPC), SP Mugizi Felix, sent condolences to the bereaved families for the loss of their beloved young people, who were only toiling to make ends meet.
The DPC confirmed that the police have cordoned off the entire area to investigate the exact cause of the accident, as well as the mining legalities under which the operations were conducted.
Cue in: DPC Felix on Halt of activities.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Rubirizi District, Kasigazi Donanto, sympathized with the bereaved families for the great loss of their loved ones, urging the community to remain calm at the moment.
He continued that such mining activities require technical professionalism, thus urging the public to avoid risking their lives in such acts. He acknowledged the substantial halt on operations at the site as the investigation takes center stage.
Cue in: D/RDC Kasigazi on the incident.
Among the survivors is Gumisiriza Lauben, of Kayanga Cell, who, while speaking to the press, confirmed that there were about 25 people at the mining site at the time of the incident.
Gumisiriza said that they were leaving the site in the evening as usual when the soil struck and covered the mining pit, burying the five fellows who were still inside.
He urged the government to come to their rescue as they have no other means of raising food and sustaining their families, and also to support the bereaved families as they have children who are schooling.
Cue in: Gumisiriza on the incident.
Gumisiriza added that they had been at the site for about two years, with similar incidents having happened in the past where they would find the mines covered by soil in the morning when none of them were there.
Mugabe Robert, a resident of Butoha village in Magambo Parish and the father of one of the victims, the deceased Mugarura Anthony, expressed his sadness and appealed to the government and well-wishers for support.
Cue in: Robert on loss of his Son.
The LC III Vice Chairperson of Kyamuhunga Sub-County, Birungi Beatrice, expressed devastation towards the incident that has sent shockwaves through Kyamuhunga, as there had not been any major prior accident.
She urgently appealed to the government to intervene and investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster, and to render support to the bereaved families who only survived through mining.
Cue in: Beatrice on the incident.
The incident follows another devastating accident where two pupils of St. Mary’s Primary School Kyamuhunga in Bushenyi District died after being struck by lightning.
The two were identified as Maria Ainembabazi, 7, a Primary One pupil, and Augustine Ainomukama, 10, a Primary Five pupil, both residents of Gongo Cell, Kyamuhunga Ward in Bushenyi District.
