Four people have been confirmed dead after a perimeter wall collapsed onto two residential houses in Butto Zone, Bweyogerere Division, during a heavy morning downpour.
Police identified the deceased as Okoth David, 25, Angella Inebe, 28, Alaba Lucy, 28, and a juvenile whose identity had not been established. The juvenile was reportedly Alaba’s son. The victims were asleep when the incident occurred.
Several other family members, including children, were rescued from the rubble with injuries. Among those affected was Francis Ssenyonga, the landlord of one of the damaged houses.
Residents attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall and runoff from the premises of Delux Company. They said the water exerted pressure on the company’s perimeter wall before part of it gave way and crashed onto the neighbouring houses.
Badru Lubega, whose rented room was among those destroyed, said he narrowly escaped death after part of his room collapsed.
“I could hear neighbours crying out for help, but even getting out myself was a struggle. Fortunately, the collapse was on the sitting room side, so I managed to make my way out through the debris,” he said.
Another resident, Christopher Kivumbi, said he was jolted awake by a loud bang as the wall came crashing down.
Kivumbi and other residents have appealed to the government to intervene, warning that the remaining section of the wall could also collapse onto neighbouring homes if the heavy rains persist.
Bweyogerere Division Speaker Sylvia Kyampaire said Delux Company recently acquired the factory and had since undertaken renovation works, including grading the compound.
Kyampaire alleged that the construction activities contributed to the blockage of a drainage channel, forcing runoff water to find alternative routes and exert pressure on the perimeter wall until part of it collapsed onto the houses.
“The factory processes coffee. They have been carrying out construction works and tampered with the drainage channel. This forced water to find alternative pathways, and due to the strong flow, it pushed the perimeter wall until part of it collapsed onto people’s houses,” Kyampaire said.
She called for government intervention to ensure that investors undertaking construction projects comply with safety requirements and consider the welfare of communities living near their premises.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said investigations were underway to establish whether the company’s construction activities and drainage arrangements contributed to the accumulation and flow of water preceding the collapse.
Police have cautioned property owners, construction companies and developers against compromising structural safety or neglecting drainage systems, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
“We want to caution property owners, construction companies and developers to ensure that their structures are sound and that adequate drainage systems are in place, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall,” Owoyesigyire said.
“Developers are urged to assess the potential impact of construction and renovation works on neighbouring properties and take the necessary precautions to protect lives and property,” he added.
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