The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | At least six people have been confirmed dead and eight others rescued with injuries, at the end of the search through the rubble of a building that collapsed in Kisenyi, last evening.
Builders, drivers, food vendors and bystanders were trapped inside the rubble, when the building which was still under construction caved in during the Sunday afternoon downpour, according to eyewitness accounts. In the aftermath, members of the business community used axes, hoes and hammers to rescue the victims, and were shortly joined by the police fire and rescue teams.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the rescue teams recovered six bodies whose particulars are still scanty. The injured who are are nursing injuries in Mulago hospital include Ben Kiwanuka, Emma Kato, Onyoch David, Henderson Ndawula, Maclean Nandawula, and Marion Nakimbugwe. Two others are still unidentified.
But area residents have asked for an extended search saying that a number of people could still be trapped in the rubble. Locals led by Ssendege Ismail, an area councillor have disputed the reported number of recovered bodies, saying that the search ended earlier and excavation of the rubble did not reach the ground, a clear indication that more victims could still be trapped.
Others call for the demolition of the remaining structure.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago called for a thorough investigation into the matter, saying that there is little information about the permit for construction of the building, and all pointers are leading to illegalities in the issuance of the permit.
Lukwago now wants the owner of the building identified as Haruna Kiggundu, the engineers and KCCA building supervisors in the Central division to be held accountable.
KCCA spokesperson Daniel NuweAbine says they have instituted investigations into the matter. He however couldn’t immediately tell which engineer was in charge of the constructions and if the KCCA Directorate of Physical Planning issued a permit to the constructor.
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