Two Children Killed in Ugandan Quarry Collapse, Renewing Calls for Child Labor Ban
A stone quarry collapse in Uganda’s Mityana District has resulted in the deaths of two young children, prompting urgent community demands for stricter enforcement of child labor laws at mining sites.
The incident occurred on [Date, if available; otherwise use “recently”] at a quarry in Ttamu Division, Minana Village. A section of the quarry wall gave way, triggering a landslide that buried three children who had entered the site. Rescue efforts by residents using basic tools lasted several hours. One child survived with injuries and was transported to Mityana Hospital. The bodies of Docus Muwanguzi, seven, and Florence Nakyejwe, six, were recovered. The siblings were reportedly living with their grandmother, Elizabeth Nabbosa, who works at the quarry.
Nabbosa learned of the tragedy while attending a parents’ meeting at the children’s school. “I was attending a meeting at their school when I received information that the quarry had collapsed and my grandchildren were trapped inside,” she said.
Residents identified the site as a common source of income for families from surrounding villages, including Minana Galabi, Kamuvuubo, Mpanga, and Busere A. However, community member Lwanyaga Owen stated the quarry has a history of fatal accidents involving children. “This is not the first time children have died in this quarry,” he said. “We need strong regulations to stop minors from entering such dangerous places.”
Local leadership has condemned the practice of children accessing quarry sites. Samuel Ssenkinga, the elected councillor for Ttamu Division, urged Mityana Municipality authorities to implement and enforce strict regulations prohibiting anyone under 18 from quarry sites. He also called for improved safety measures and the prepositioning of emergency rescue equipment.
The tragedy has reignited a broader debate on child labor in hazardous informal mining operations across the region. While stone quarrying provides critical income for many households, residents and leaders argue that the absence of enforced safety protocols and child labor restrictions creates an unacceptable risk. The focus now shifts to municipal and district authorities to enact and monitor the proposed bans, with the community seeking concrete steps to prevent a repeat of the fatal incident.
