Six artisanal miners have been reportedly buried alive in gold mining pits last month in the two districts of Namayingo and Busia.
According to the Mineral protection police some of the miners were buried alive in a gold pit that was over 100 feet deep and others suffocated to death due to lack of oxygen.
Eye witnesses say the deceased set fire to burn stones into murrum ore in the gold pit and died due to loss of oxygen.
Levis Mugweisajje, the operation commander-OC Police Minerals protection unit in charge of Busia and Namayingo districts attributes the death to illegal gold mining practices.
He says most of the miners sneak into gold mines where they meet their death.
Ben Okamar, the Busitema Sub-county LC 3 chairperson in Busia district says that the death of the miners has triggered fear among miners which has forced them to conduct operations targeting school-going children who opt to go for gold prospecting.