By Eye Media | Namayingo | July 19, 2026

At least three people have been confirmed dead and one survivor rescued after an illegal gold mine collapsed at Mabuka Village in Bukana Sub-county, Namayingo District.

According to Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Michael Kasadha, the tragic incident occurred on Saturday, July 18, with an unknown number of miners believed to have been trapped underground.

Kasadha said police, working alongside local residents, managed to retrieve three bodies from the collapsed mine and rescue one person alive.

“We are still at the scene and there is hope to rescue more,” he said, adding that the exact number of people who were inside the mine at the time of the collapse has not yet been established.

Police revealed that the mining site had previously been closed by the Namayingo District Security Committee over safety concerns. However, the miners reportedly defied the directive and continued operating at the site illegally.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as security personnel and community members continue searching for possible survivors and recovering more victims.

Authorities have urged members of the public to refrain from engaging in illegal mining activities, warning that such operations expose workers to life-threatening risks due to poor safety standards.

Police said more details will be released as the rescue operation continues and investigations into the incident progress.