KAMPALA – Police have rescued one person out of the reported eight who were trapped under the four storey building that collapsed in Makindye.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango, the building reportedly collapsed at around 8pm on Friday, September 12.
“Yesterday, the DPC Katwe SP Benson Byaruhanga received information at around 20:30hours that a four storied 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,” be said in a statement.
He further revealed that preliminary information indicates that the building belongs to Mr Kagolo a Businessman at Kikuubo.
He said 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 the victims were still talking and calling for help. For example, one Alex was calling his sister on phone,” said Onyango.
At around 11pm, Onyango said 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,” he noted.
He added that, “At about 00:20 hours on Saturday, an excavator was brought by KCCA and it is now on ground trying to rescue other victims,” reads an excerpt.
He further revealed that two KCCA officials have been arrested to help with investigations.
They include the 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 in that place without approved plan,” Onyango revealed.
“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,” he added.
Onyango said they are still looking for the owner of the building and his engineers.
He commended the members of the public whom he says have been very supportive in trying rescue the victims.
