Two people have died after a sand quarry collapse in Kanyamisinga Village, Kanungu District. The victims were identified as Simon Izobaryomwe, 30, and Umar Mbonigaba, 31. Both men were working at the site when it gave way around 10:00 a.m.
At the time of the incident, they were loading sand onto a tipper truck together with a third worker, 24-year-old Junior Tumwebaze. Tumwebaze narrowly escaped and immediately raised the alarm.
The quarry was owned by Mbonigaba and had operated for more than 20 years. However, local residents had long voiced concerns about its stability. They warned that the site had grown increasingly dangerous over time.
According to eyewitnesses, the collapse happened without warning. A massive volume of sand buried the truck and the two men instantly. Rescue teams arrived quickly after the alert.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed the incident. He said police, supported by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), rushed to the scene. Using a wheel loader, they began recovery operations that same day.
“By evening, Mbonigaba’s body had been recovered,” Maate said. “But Izobaryomwe’s body remained trapped under the sand.”
Recovery efforts resumed the following day after authorities assessed the site for safety. The unstable ground continues to pose risks to rescuers, slowing progress.
This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about informal mining safety in rural Uganda. Many sand quarries operate without proper engineering oversight or regulatory inspection. Community members have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement—but change has been slow.
As the search for Izobaryomwe continues, local leaders are urging authorities to review all active quarries in the region. They hope this incident will spur action to prevent future sand quarry collapse tragedies.
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