Four buried in septic tank in Mukono

Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Four people were buried on Monday evening in a septic tank they were constructing in Seeta along Bukerere road in Ggoma Division Mukono District.

The Septic tank, which is estimated to be 20 feet deep, collapsed shortly after the builders started work following a heavy down pour that lasted for about six hours.

Police teamed up with residents and workers of SOGEA Satom limited, which is laying pipes for the Katosi Water Project to try and retrieve the bodies of the four men from the septic tank using excavators.

However, they were forced to halt work when rain resumed making it difficult to drain the tank.

Joab Wabwiire, the Mukono Division Police Commander told URN that they were doing everything possible to retrieve the bodies of the four men.

Isma Kagga, one of the survivors told URN at his home in Bagaala zone where he is nursing wounds that they were six when the septic tank collapsed but only two of them managed to get away.

The other four men inside the septic when it caved in.

Those buried include the site engineer, Michael Mukiibi, a one Kato and Ssempala. The identity of the fourth victim wasn’t readily available.

“By the time we started working the septic was full of water we managed remove it using a water pump. We continued with our work caring little about the side walls that had got softened by water,” Mukiibi said.

Our reporter observed that part of the running water from Kampala-Jinja highway and Bukerere road finds its way through the place where the septic in being constructed to Kigugunga swamp.

The septic belongs to Ronald Lwanga who funded its construction with intentions of connecting it to the lavatory system of his storied building.

Godfrey Mugoberere, one of the residents who participated in the rescue mission doubts whether the septic construction was approved by the municipality.

Peter Nsamba, another resident noted with concern that many people disregard the technical advice to them, which leads to such problems.

The Mukono Municipal Mayor, George Fred Kagimu told URN that the rescue effort was affected by lack of service lanes to the site.

The efforts to retrieve the bodies are scheduled to resume this morning.

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URN