Police in Busoga East are investigating the death of two toddlers who were buried alive when a section of a sand mine collapsed in the early hours of Friday in Kabuli II Village, Nawandala Sub-county, Iganga District.
The deceased have been identified as two-year-old Tabitha Namukalu and four-year-old William Isabirye. According to preliminary investigations, the children’s parents, Bosco Meregulwa and Teddy Nangobi, had left them resting under a tree near the entrance to the sand mine while they worked.
Unnoticed by their parents, the children reportedly wandered into the mining area, where a section of the mine suddenly caved in, burying them beneath the sand. Meregulwa said they heard part of the mine collapse and immediately rushed outside, hoping to find the children nearby. However, they were nowhere to be seen.
He said they first asked fellow miners whether anyone had seen the children, but when no one could account for their whereabouts, they began searching the mine. His worst fears were confirmed when he spotted the children’s shoes protruding from the collapsed section of the mine.
Meregulwa said he alerted fellow miners, who informed the police and joined him in digging through the rubble. The children’s bodies were later recovered. He described the loss of his two children as devastating, saying the tragedy had left his family in deep psychological pain. He added that they are seeking comfort and strength through their church leaders.
The LC I Chairperson of Kabuli II Village, Ziporah Mudondo, said sand mines become particularly dangerous during the rainy season. She suspects that heavy rains on Wednesday weakened the ground, making it prone to collapse.
Mudondo noted that while accidents at the mine are not uncommon, they have rarely resulted in fatalities. She called on the relevant authorities to intensify community sensitization on safe sand mining practices to prevent similar tragedies.
Meanwhile, the Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson, Michael Kasadha, confirmed the incident. He said the bodies had been taken to Iganga General Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations. Kasadha urged miners not to bring children to mining sites, warning that young children are unable to recognize the dangers associated with such environments.
He also advised mine owners to obtain the necessary operational licences to enable authorities to assess safety standards, including protective equipment requirements, access controls, and other measures aimed at preventing accidents-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
