Police Finally Retrieves Last Body Of Artisanal Miners In Gold Pit In Namayingo

The last body of an artisanal gold miner trapped for two weeks in a 100-foot pit in Namayingo district was retrieved.

The Police Minerals Protection Unit together with other miners has today morning retrieveed the last body of the artisanal gold miner that was trapped in the pit of over 100 feet for the last two weeks at Mabuka village Bukana Sub County in Namayingo district .

The disease has been identified as 25-year-old Israel Tukuzemuremi a resident of Kifumbira village, Kanyoga parish in Kitologo Sub-county in Mubende district.

It's reported that the deceased was among the ten (10) gold miners who were buried in the gold on 19th July 2026 at Mabuka village, Bugana parish in Bukana sub-county in Namayingo district. 

Mineral Police together with residents atprope first after the accident, managed to rescue 5 miners, retrieved 3 bodies and they have been searching for the two bodies of Brian Byakatonda and Israel Tukuzemuremi. 

According to police they on 31st retrieved the body of Brian Byakatonda and today they have managed to get the last body of Isreal Tukuzemuremi. 

Siyen Kanabuganda, the brother to the two deceaseds whose bodies were trapped said that it has been a two weeks battle looking for his brothers bodies. They are happy that have finally got the last one today and now preparing to transport them to their village home in Mubende for burial arrangements. 

Suleiman Mwasse, an artisanal gold miner who survived the accident said that he narrowly survived by coming outside the gold cave that had cracked wall . He immediately informed those who were outside about the accident. 

They appreciate the efforts made by police and other concerned authorities to help them in retrieving the bodies. Mwasse appealed to authorities allow them continue with the mining in the area under proper guidance. 

Musitafwa Ngobi, a gold miner said that they were shocked about the accident, opted to join hands to rescue and retrieve their colleagues in the deep pit.

Ibrahim Ssebunya Ssalongo, another artisanal gold miner said that the two bodies of the two brothers they have removed today was trapped in the many timbers that they were using in deep pit.

Robina Lyaka, a resident in the area mining has been taking place at Mabuka village expressed wary that her house may sink and kill her with the family because the whole is surrounded with the deep pits. 

ASP. Cephus Wanjala, the Police Minerals Protection Unit Commander in-charge Eastern region, said that it has been a joint efforts to retrieve the bodies after 16 days searching. 

The gold site was closed in 2nd June 2026 and they are going to deploy more security personnels to ensure that there's no more illegal mining in the area.