Summary:

• A mother and her 10-year-old daughter died in a Kabale District sand mine when the soil collapsed, prompting a police investigation, while local authorities consider banning such activities due to safety concerns.

Police in Kabale District are currently investigating the tragic incident involving the demise of a 28-year-old mother, Rosette Mwikirize, and her 10-year-old daughter, Berinah Abeneitwe, at a sand mine.

According to Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for Kigezi region, the incident occurred on Monday around 1:30 pm in Hamuganda Village, Bukora Parish, Kitumba Sub-county. The mother and daughter were reportedly engaged in sand mining when the soil suddenly cracked and collapsed, leading to their immediate demise. The Kitumba police station received a report on the sudden deaths.

In response to the incident, a team of homicide police officers, led by D/SP Hakim Mukama, swiftly arrived at the scene and, with the assistance of local residents, recovered the bodies. A postmortem examination was conducted on-site, witness statements were recorded, and subsequently, the bodies were handed over to the relatives for burial.

Elly Maate emphasized the need for caution in such activities, urging those involved in sand mining to prioritize their safety.

LCIII chairman for Kitumba sub-county, David Kato Muhereza, expressed concern over the recurring tragedies, revealing that seven people had lost their lives in similar circumstances over the past two years. He condemned the involvement of children in stone and sand mining activities. Despite these economic activities being prevalent in the sub-county, Muhereza announced plans to impose a ban until the local population is adequately educated about safety measures.