A machine operator identified as Ronald Mubiru at Quality plastics factory is currently undergoing serious treatment after losing two left hand fingers to a faulty machine.
Mubiru who had just renewed his contract with the factory at Nangwa-Mukono in August last year lost his fingers operating the machine on Wednesday.
He was rushed to Mukono Church of Uganda hospital where he received primary health care and later examined through the X-ray machine.
The preliminary reports and x-ray according to the doctors suggested the need for amputation which the victim rejected.
He was referred to Norvik hospital for a second opinion. The orthopedic doctor at the facility advised that the bones were still intact and could heal after treatment.
Several workers in factories within Mbalala industrial park have suffered industrial accidents due to lack of safety gear despite operating under a risky environment full of faulty machines.
Majority have suffered injuries such as losing hands, legs and on some occasions, even death. Others have sustained body deformities, hearing and sight impairments and instead are sent off by factory management without compensation or treatment.
At Quality Plastics, the Human Resource Officer told this website that they have considered a fully paid sick leave, transport allowance to hospital for dressing wounds, and a weekly upkeep allowance for the injured Mubiru.
“We take every incident seriously and work diligently to prevent future occurrences. We are currently reviewing the recent incident involving Mr. Mubiru to understand its causes fully and to implement measures to prevent such accidents in the future.” The HR noted.
Since signing of the new contract with the factory, Mubiru’s salary was revised and increased to a gross payment of 324, 000 shillings subject to all statutory obligations of PAYE, NSSF and local service tax as required by the law.
According to the copy of the contract obtained by this website, he is required to work for 48 hours per week.
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