News
Illegal gold mine collapse kills three in Namayingo, rescue efforts underway
Kasadha said the gold mining site had previously been declared illegal and closed by the Namayingo District Security Committee because of safety concerns.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said the exact number of people trapped remained unknown as emergency teams continued searching the site. (File photo)
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Three people have been confirmed dead after an illegal gold mine collapsed in Namayingo district, trapping an unknown number of miners underground.
The tragedy occurred on July 18, 2026, at Mabuka village in Bukana sub-county.
Police, working alongside residents, recovered three bodies from the collapsed pit and rescued one survivor. Rescue operations were still underway on Sunday, amid hopes that more people could be found alive.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said the exact number of people trapped remained unknown as emergency teams continued searching the site.
“Together with the locals, we managed to retrieve three bodies and rescued one person. We are still at the scene, and there is hope to rescue more people,” Kasadha said today, Sunday.
Kasadha said the gold mining site had previously been declared illegal and closed by the Namayingo District Security Committee because of safety concerns.
“Together with the locals, we managed to retrieve three bodies and rescued one person. We are still at the scene, and there is hope to rescue more people,” Kasadha said today, Sunday.
Kasadha said the gold mining site had previously been declared illegal and closed by the Namayingo District Security Committee because of safety concerns.
However, the miners allegedly ignored the directive and continued operating at the site.
“The mining site had been closed by the district security committee. Unfortunately, the miners disregarded the order and continued carrying out illegal mining activities,” he said.
Police have since cordoned off the area as the rescue operation continues, while authorities work to establish the identities of the victims and determine how many people were inside the pit when it collapsed.
The incident highlights the persistent dangers associated with illegal mining, where workers often operate without proper safety measures, exposing themselves to fatal accidents.
Police said more details would be released as the rescue and recovery operation progresses.
“The mining site had been closed by the district security committee. Unfortunately, the miners disregarded the order and continued carrying out illegal mining activities,” he said.
Police have since cordoned off the area as the rescue operation continues, while authorities work to establish the identities of the victims and determine how many people were inside the pit when it collapsed.
The incident highlights the persistent dangers associated with illegal mining, where workers often operate without proper safety measures, exposing themselves to fatal accidents.
Police said more details would be released as the rescue and recovery operation progresses.