Two Killed in Sand Quarry Accident in Kanungu

The police in Kanungu are investigating a case of rash and neglect that occurred at Kanyamisinga Village, Nyakashojwa Parish, Katete Sub-county, Kanungu District, which left two people dead.

ASP Maate Elly, the Police PRO for the Kigezi Region, identified the deceased as Izobaryomwe Simon, aged 30, a casual labourer, and Mbonigaba Umar, aged 31, a driver. Both were residents of Kanyamisinga Village, Nyakashojwa Parish, Katete Sub-county, Kanungu District.

One survivor was identified as Tumwebaze Junior, aged 24, a casual labourer and resident of the same area.

It is reported that on 4th January 2026, at around 10:00 a.m., Mbonigaba Umar, the owner of motor vehicle registration number UBQ 884U, an Isuzu Tipper blue in colour, together with two others, went to load sand at a sand quarry located in Kanyamisinga Village.

However, during the process, a huge quantity of sand from the top caved in and covered the motor vehicle and two people. The third person managed to run away and survived the incident.

A report was registered at Katete Police Station, and a team of police officers from CPS Kanungu, commanded by SP Azira Grace, the DPC Kanungu, responded to the scene on a rescue mission.

A wheel loader, registration number H4DF, from the UPDF Engineering Brigade in Kanungu was deployed to support the excavation of the bodies and the motor vehicle. By the evening of 4th January 2026, only one body—that of Mbonigaba Umar—had been retrieved.

According to local leaders, Mbonigaba Umar was among the owners of the sand quarry where the tragedy occurred. Residents have mined sand from the quarry for over 20 years, and so far, about 18 people have reportedly died there.

Efforts to retrieve the motor vehicle and the second body resumed this morning, 5th January 2026. However, there is a need to deploy a second excavator to ease the rescue operations.