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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A stone quarry has collapsed in Mukono district killing one person and injuring another.
The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Viola Nakato. She met her death on Thursday morning when the quarry caved in as she was digging stones at Bwefulumya-Kisoga stone quarry in Nama sub county.
Ruth Mbabazi, 27, another casual labourer was rushed to Mukono General Hospital after sustaining severe injuries on both legs.
The quarry had been closed a month ago by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner Richard Bwabye, following complaints from the community about the quarrying activities.
Mbabazi says the deceased abandoned vending of chicken alongside Kampala-Jinja highway at Namawojjolo market after public transport was abolished and she resorted to working at the quarry to make survival.
“Unfortunately, after digging for about two hours, she decided to seat inside to eat some food when soils caved in and she could not survive,” Mbabazi said.
Saul Ssempa, the quarry chairperson says that the ground was soft due to the heavy rains.
Several people earn a living through working in this quarry and are involved in digging, dissecting and separating stones from the soil while others are paid for loading them on the trucks.
Rose Namagembe, a resident says that they will not vacate the quarry because they have to feed their families.
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