Kole District, Uganda – April 25, 2025
The Territorial Police in Kole District have registered a tragic incident following the sudden death of three young men in a gravel quarry collapse yesterday afternoon
The victims have been identified as:
Dengo Ambrose,24, a casual worker ,Ojok Isaac,23, a casual worker
and Akaa Isaac,24, a student
All three were residents of Akaidebe B Cell, Akwirididi Ward, Aboke Town Council, Kole District.
According to reports, the trio was excavating gravel at a quarry in Akaidebe Cell when the walls suddenly collapsed, burying them alive. Witnesses revealed that cracks had been noticed in the gravel structure earlier, and the men were advised to stop work—but they continued, leading to the fatal accident.
A joint rescue effort was launched involving the Kole District Police Commander (DPC), local leaders, the LCV Chairperson, area Members of Parliament, and other officials. Despite their efforts, the victims were retrieved lifeless from the rubble.
The bodies were transported to Aboke Health Centre IV for postmortem examinations as investigations continue. The scene was later visited by homicide detectives and the Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO) team.
SP PJ Okema, the North Kyoga Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed that a case of sudden death has been registered at Aboke Sub-County Police Station and Kole CPS. He urged community members to prioritize safety over risky jobs, especially in unstable mining environments.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy previously recorded in Kole District, raising concerns over the enforcement of safety measures in small-scale mining operations.
Authorities continue to investigate while the community mourns the loss of three young lives.
