A sand mining accident has claimed the lives of a father and son in Rubanda, leaving the community in mourning. A 50-year-old man and his 16-year-old son perished after being buried in a sand mine which they frequently frequented to make ends meet.
The sand they were mining in Karandagasi village along the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi route buried John Bosco Rwabyoma and his son Andrew Magara, a senior two student at Cream Land High School in Kabale town, on Saturday afternoon. They both died as a result.
The event was corroborated by the Gomborora Internal Security Officer (GISO) for Bubare Town Council, Mr. Bernard Rwabugwene, and the officer in charge of criminal investigations at Rubanda Police Station, Ms. Bernice Aine.
Boyi Ayebare, who was injured in the mine disaster but survived, was taken to Rugarama hospital, where he received treatment, according to the authorities.
“The incident happened at around midday during a heavy downpour that lasted for about one hour. Although the deceased persons are residents of Rwabarera village, the incident happened in Karandagasi village, Kitoojo ward Bubare town council. The injured person was taken to Rugarama hospital for treatment while the deceased were handed over to the relatives for burial,” Mr Rwabugwene said.
Mr. Rwabugwene claimed that a boda-boda biker who passed the mine shortly after the victims were covered in sand notified them of the occurrence.
Residents have called on authorities to enact stronger restrictions to safeguard the safety of workers after the incident raised questions about the safety of mining operations in the area.
The incident serves as a painful reminder of the risks involved in mining and the necessity for all mining operators to give safety measures top priority in order to safeguard workers and stop accidents like this from happening again.