Three drown in abandoned excavation pit in Masindi
The lifeless bodies were conveyed to Masindi Hospital mortuary.
Masindi: Shock engulfed residents of Nyabigoma Village in Budongo Sub County Masindi district after they discovered three people drowned in the abandoned excavation pit in their area.
The deceased have been identified as Abwongi Grace, 30, her daughter Ikoru Lillian, 12, and son Arinitwe Muzamil, 2. The incident happened on Saturday, October 12, 2024 when Abwongi and her daughter went to fetch water from a 5.7-meter-deep excavation pit along the Masindi-Biiso road.
The excavation pit was reportedly abandoned by the contractor constructing Biiso-Masindi Road.
Abwongi’s husband, Kitasoboka Yasin, initially thought they had gone for prayers, given his wife’s devout nature. However, when he went to fetch water from the abandoned excavation site the following day, Sunday, October 13, 2024, he discovered their bodies floating in the trench.
Livingstone Jarua, the LC1 Chairperson for Nyabigoma Village, says that they retrieved the bodies and informed the area LC3 chairperson and the police, who rushed to the scene.
Jarua further explains to this publication that the deceased persons had gone to fetch water at night since they had resorted to fetching water there mostly during the rainy season.
He decries the uncovered abandoned excavation site has become a death trap since people have resorted to fetching water there and children play in the water after raining.
Jarua therefore asked the authorities to cover the quarry or empty the water to save lives since it’s now becoming a death trap for residents.
Julius Kyahurwa, the LC3 Chairman for Budongo Sub County, said after getting information, he contacted police, which conveyed the lifeless bodies to Masindi Hospital mortuary.
He advised residents to monitor their children mostly during this rainy season so as to prevent such drowning and also avoid fetching water at night.
Kyahurwa wondered why the women and children went to fetch water at the abandoned excavation pit, yet Nyabigoma has enough water sources.
Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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