At least 7 people still trapped under rubble following the collapse of a building in Makindye

Two Kampala Capital City Authority officials have been arrested in relation to the collapse of a building in Makindye on Friday night.

Patrick Onyango the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson identified the duo as Makindye Division Physical Planner Achom Anne and Building Inspector Joseph Balikuddembe.

It is alleged that the KCCA officials currently detained at Katwe Police Station, learnt about the ongoing construction without an approved plan.

Achom and Balikuddembe allegedly went to the site and issued a notice to stop the construction but later on they went and removed it and allowed them to proceed.

Last night, SP Benson Byaruhanga the DPC Katwe received information at around 08:30PM that a four storey building which has been under construction at Kerezia zone, Makindye Division in Kampala District had collapsed and that eight (08) people were suspected to be trapped inside in the basement.

A team of police officers responded to the scene and were later joined by Police Fire Brigade. On arrival at the scene, police were further informed that that the victims were still talking and calling for help. A one Alex was calling his sister on phone.

Members of the public using axes joined Police in searching for the victims.

“At around 23:45 hours, one Oonyu Godfrey 22 years, a teacher who had been working at the site as a potter since schools are closed because of COVID19, was retrieved from the rubble. Oonyu said that his colleagues were still trapped inside but he couldn’t tell the number. At about 00:20 hours on 12/09/2020, an excavator was brought by KCCA and it is now on ground trying to rescue other victims” Onyango said.

He added that police has since learnt that the building belongs to Mr Kagolo a Businessman at Kikuubo.

“We want to appreciate members of the public who have been very supportive in trying rescue the victims” Onyango noted.

Police is still hunting for the owner of the building and his engineers.