Eight electrocuted in Busia municipality

Busia, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Three people have been confirmed dead and five others admitted after they were electrocuted in Busia district.

The deceased have been identified as Isaac Wejuli aged 21, Brian Ologe 21, and Derrick Wabwire aged 16, while the survivors admitted are Edrisa Wamunga 14, Misach Kwagala 14, David Wakumba 15, Juma Jackson 14, and Osman Egesa 15. They are all residents of Buchicha and Solo C villages in Western division of Busia municipality.

Its reported that the victims were electrocuted on Tuesday evening at Buchicha P/S play ground in Western division when they were carrying a tent in celebration, after their local football team won the tournament and in the process, the tent roof top got in contact with a three phased electricity wire causing a short circuit that stroked all of them and three died instantly since they were carrying the tent.

The football tournament was organized by Busia Municipal council leaders in commemoration of former Busia town Mayor Musa Mukiibi who died recently.

Eddy Wadenga, who was the master of ceremonies during the tournament, says that the victims were excited and carried the tent that got in contact with the electricity wire. They only saw electricity power sparks and in their intervention, found when one victim was already dead.

Charles Wejuli, John Wabwire, both residents of Solo C village and Pius Wesonga and Tabbisa Muduwa, residents of Buchicha village in Western division among other parents of the victims, said that they were shocked to hear about their children getting electrocuted and others dead.

Edrisa Wamungu, one of the survivors says that they never wanted to break the tent that they were taking to the neighboring home and then celebrate the victory. When they reached near the pine tree, the tent got stuck on the branches of the pine tree which is near the electricity wire and in the process of removing it, the tent got in contact with the electricity wire.

Didas Byaruhanga, the Busia district police commander confirmed the incident and said that they have sent a team of police officers to ascertain the major cause of the accident.

The bodies of the deceased were taken by police to the mortuary pending postmortem, and the 5 survivors were also admitted at Busia health center IV.

*****

URN