Tragedy in Bweyogerere: Wall collapse kills four

Tragedy struck in Butto Zone, Bweyogerere Division, when a perimeter wall gave way during a heavy downpour, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The victims, identified by police as David Okoth (25), Angella Inebe (28), Lucy Alaba (28), and Alaba’s young son, were reportedly asleep when the wall crushed two houses.

Several other residents, including children, were rescued with injuries from the debris. Survivors recounted narrow escapes, with one resident describing the terrifying experience of navigating through the rubble of his collapsed room.

Local residents are pointing to runoff from the adjacent Delux Company premises as a contributing factor. They allege that recent renovation and grading work at the factory, which processes coffee, disrupted a drainage channel. This disruption, they claim, forced water to find new paths, building up pressure against the factory’s perimeter wall until it ultimately failed.

Bweyogerere Division officials have echoed these concerns, stating that the construction activities altered natural drainage, leading to increased water flow towards the wall. They are calling for government intervention to hold investors accountable for safety oversights that endanger surrounding communities.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. While the probe is ongoing, authorities are emphasizing the importance of structural integrity and proper drainage systems, especially during periods of intense rainfall. Property owners and developers are urged to exercise caution and ensure their constructions do not pose risks to neighboring properties and residents.

Source: The Observer (Uganda)