Four people have been confirmed dead after a perimeter wall collapsed onto two residential houses in Butto Zone, Bweyogerere Division, during a heavy morning downpour.
Police have identified the deceased as Okoth David, 25, Angella Inebe, 28, Alaba Lucy, 28, and one juvenile, whose identity could not be established. was Alaba’s son. The victims were reportedly asleep when the incident occurred.
Several other family members and children were rescued from the rubble with injuries. Among those affected was Francis Ssenyonga, the landlord of one of the collapsed houses.
Residents attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall and runoff from the premises of Delux Company, which they said exerted pressure on the company’s perimeter wall before it gave way and crashed the houses.
Badru Lubega, whose rented room was among those destroyed, said he narrowly escaped death but survived because only one side of his room collapsed. “I could hear neighbours crying out for help, but even getting out myself was a struggle. Fortunately, the collapse was on the sitting room side, so I managed to make my way out through the debris,” he narrated.
Another resident, Christopher Kivumbi, said he was woken up by a loud bang as the perimeter wall collapsed. Kivumbi and other residents have appealed to the government to intervene, warning that the remaining section of the wall could also collapse onto neighbouring houses if the heavy rains continue.
Bweyogerere Division Speaker Sylvia Kyampaire said Delux Company recently acquired the factory and has since undertaken renovation works, including grading the compound.
According to Kyampaire, the construction activities caused siltation that blocked a drainage channel, forcing runoff water to find alternative pathways and exerting pressure on the perimeter wall until part of it collapsed onto the residential houses. “The factory processes coffee.
They have been carrying out construction works and tampered with the drainage channel. This forced water to find alternative pathways, and due to the strong flow, it pushed the perimeter wall until part of it collapsed onto people’s houses,” Kyampaire said.
She called for government intervention against investors who undertake construction works without considering the safety and welfare of surrounding communities.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said investigations were underway to establish whether the company’s construction activities and drainage arrangements contributed to the accumulation and flow of water that preceded the collapse.
Police have cautioned property owners, construction companies and developers against compromising structural safety or neglecting drainage systems, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
“We want to caution property owners, construction companies and developers to ensure that their structures are sound and that adequate drainage systems are in place, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
Developers are urged to assess the potential impact of construction and renovation works on neighbouring properties and take the necessary precautions to protect lives and property,” Owoyesigyire said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
