Written By | BK Mugizi
Locals watch as excavator as it digs up the missing body
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Bushenyi
The death of five artisanal miners in a gold pit collapse in Kyamuhunga Sub-county, Bushenyi District, has exposed deep-rooted safety, regulatory, and livelihood challenges surrounding the rapidly expanding informal mining sector in the district. The miners were buried alive on Tuesday at about 4:30 pm when the walls of an unreinforced gold pit in Kayanga Village caved in as more than 25 people worked underground.
The deceased have been identified as Mugarura Anthony, 23, of Butoha-Magambo Sub-county in Rubirizi District; Twizukye Sansio, 30; Mujurizi Julius, 55; Akanyamba Stuart, 16; and Saul Twinomujuni, 25, all residents of Kayanga, Kyamuhunga Sub-county. Residents mounted frantic rescue efforts using hoes and spades before police and district authorities arrived. Several other miners sustained injuries. Police have halted operations at the site pending investigations.
An excavator tries to retrieve the body of one of the deceased from the informal mining collapse
Expanding informal mining
The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of informal gold mining activities that have intensified across Kyamuhunga Sub-county, Bitooma Town Council, and parts of Igara West, Bushenyi District.
Driven largely by unemployment and rising poverty levels, dozens of youth and middle-aged men and women have turned to artisanal mining as a source of income. However, most operate without licences, technical supervision, or protective equipment.
Mining pits are often dug deep without structural reinforcement. During the rainy season, loose soils become unstable, increasing the risk of deadly landslides.
Bushenyi District LCV Chairperson Jafari Basajjabalaba described the incident as unfortunate and called for urgent reforms in the sector.
"We must sensitise our people about the dangers of unsupported pits. We are encouraging miners to organise themselves into groups and formalise their operations so they can be guided by technical officers," he said.
He added that the district would work with relevant government agencies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of safety standards.
Government response
Bushenyi District Police Commander Felix Mugizi confirmed that mining activities at the affected site have been suspended.
"No one is allowed to continue mining in that area until investigations are complete. Anyone found operating illegally will face the law," he warned.
The Deputy RDC for Bushenyi, Kasigazi Donanto, said the government would conduct an environmental and safety assessment to establish the cause of the collapse.
"We condemn unsafe mining practices. We shall ensure proper measures are taken to prevent similar incidents," he said.
However, residents argue that enforcement alone will not solve the problem.
Poverty and limited options
Nuwe Sula, a resident of Mashonga Ward, said many young people have turned to gold mining due to a lack of employment opportunities.
He noted that many young people previously earned a living by plucking tea, but following the decline in tea prices, they have turned to illegal mining in search of alternative income opportunities.
"The government should not only stop people from mining but also support them with safer methods and proper equipment," he said.
Gumisiriza Lauben, a resident of Kayanga Cell, noted that most affected families depend entirely on gold mining for survival.
"This is their only source of income. If you stop them without alternatives, they will return secretly," he said.
Local leaders say the sector has expanded quietly over the past three years, attracting school dropouts and unemployed youth hoping for quick earnings.
Birungi Beatrice, the LCIII Vice-Chairperson of Kyamuhunga Sub-county, described the incident as a wake-up call.
"Lives are being lost because of poverty and weak regulation. We need a lasting solution, not temporary closures," she said.
Covered bodies of young men excavated from the mining site
Gold wealth, little community gain
Beyond safety concerns, questions are emerging about whether local communities benefit from the mineral wealth beneath their land.
Igara West is reportedly rich in gold deposits, particularly in Kyanyamugiira, Nyakazinga, Kayanga, and Mirambi villages in Bitooma Town Council and Kyamuhunga Sub-county.
Yet residents say the presence of gold has not translated into improved livelihoods or infrastructure.
"There is gold here, but nothing has changed in our lives," said a miner in Bitooma who preferred anonymity.
"No jobs, no compensation, no better roads. We only hear about investors."
Adrine Ainomugisha, a resident of Mirambi, accused some investors of extracting gold without supporting host communities.
"They leave behind open pits that are dangerous. Children have fallen into some of them," she said.
Adolf Kanyomozi, the Kyamuhunga Sub-county LCIII Chairperson, said weak regulation along the mining value chain has created loopholes that allow both informal operators and licensed investors to operate with minimal oversight, exposing communities to environmental degradation and serious safety risks.
"Youth and investors are operating with minimal oversight due to gaps in mining regulations, and this is putting our communities at risk of environmental damage and safety hazards," said Adolf Kanyomozi.
The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families after postmortem examinations for burial arrangements.
Torch Media Africa
