news 24 March 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Tragic Gold Mine Collapse in Kaabong Buries Three Miners Alive
Three artisanal gold miners lost their lives and one was critically injured when a pit caved in at Sokodu mining area in Kaabong East sub-county on Sunday morning. Local leaders blame unstable soil from heavy rains and miners' desperation for ignoring safety rules. Source: https://observer.ug/news/three-buried-alive-in-kaabong-gold-mine-collapse
A devastating incident unfolded in Kaabong district when a gold mining pit collapsed, trapping four artisanal miners inside. The cave-in happened around 7:45 am in the Sokodu area of Kaabong East sub-county.
The victims included Modo Lopeyok from Lomonye village, Naudu Lopeyok from Sokodu village, and Lokonoi Lokudongiro, also from Sokodu village, all confirmed deceased. Survivor Michael Lochola sustained serious injuries and was quickly taken to Kaabong General Hospital for urgent care.
John Bosco Lokol, LC III chairperson for Kaabong East sub-county, pointed to unstable soil conditions, aggravated by recent heavy downpours, as the main cause. He lamented that despite ongoing awareness campaigns, poverty pushes miners to skip vital safety steps in pursuit of daily income.
“Hunger drives people to the mining site, making them disregard all safety measures just to survive,” Lokol noted. Such accidents plague the region regularly, prompting calls for government and partners to supply modern safety gear to artisanal miners.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)