Illegal gold mine collapse kills three in Namayingo, r
Three people have died following the collapse of an illegal gold mine in Namayingo, Uganda, despite previous government orders to close the site due to safety risks. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to identify victims and determine how many miners remain trapped.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the severe dangers of unregulated mining and the challenges of enforcing safety regulations in informal economic sectors.
News: Illegal gold mine collapse kills three in Namayingo, r
Illegal gold mine collapse kills three in Namayingo, rescue efforts underway
Kasadha said the gold mining site had previously been declared illegal and closed by the Namayingo District Security Committee because of safety concerns.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said the exact number of people trapped remained unknown as emergency teams continued searching the site. (File photo)
Three people have been confirmed dead after an illegal gold mine collapsed in Namayingo district, trapping an unknown number of miners underground.
The tragedy occurred on July 18, 2026, at Mabuka village in Bukana sub-county. Police, working alongside residents, recovered three bodies from the collapsed pit and rescued one survivor. Rescue operations were still underway on Sunday, amid hopes that more people could be found alive.
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