Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 1,157
- 590
Atleast four people die monthly in gold mining accidents in Namayingo District, Eastern Uganda as an unregulated rush for the precious minerals draws
unemployed youth into unsafe pits.
District officials attribute the deaths to crude mining methods, weak enforcement, and sudden shifting “gold rushes” that push miners into deep, unstable tunnels prone to collapse, suffocation, and drowning.
Namayingo Assistant Town Clerk Mr Abdulha Kauta Twaha said the sector is chaotic and unpredictable, with many miners working under dangerous conditions without proper training or equipment.
The impact is seen in the death of a 32-year-old Siraje Wafula, who died in a pit collapse last October after leaving home to earn for his family and never returned.
Mr Kauta said mining hotspots shift rapidly, with areas like Sigulu Islands becoming active almost overnight.
“Gold seems to appear overnight. Today they’re here, tomorrow elsewhere, and the numbers are huge,” Mr Kauta said.
He said most mining is done through deep tunnels up to 300 metres, supported by soil pillars.
Mr Kauta said the mining system is dangerously unstable, with miners digging caves and leaving weak support pillars often disturbed by others searching for quick gold at night.
“Miners dig underground caves and leave pillars, but those who enter at night for quick gold often ignore them, causing collapses,” Mr Kauta said.
Source: Daily monitor
unemployed youth into unsafe pits.
District officials attribute the deaths to crude mining methods, weak enforcement, and sudden shifting “gold rushes” that push miners into deep, unstable tunnels prone to collapse, suffocation, and drowning.
Namayingo Assistant Town Clerk Mr Abdulha Kauta Twaha said the sector is chaotic and unpredictable, with many miners working under dangerous conditions without proper training or equipment.
The impact is seen in the death of a 32-year-old Siraje Wafula, who died in a pit collapse last October after leaving home to earn for his family and never returned.
Mr Kauta said mining hotspots shift rapidly, with areas like Sigulu Islands becoming active almost overnight.
“Gold seems to appear overnight. Today they’re here, tomorrow elsewhere, and the numbers are huge,” Mr Kauta said.
He said most mining is done through deep tunnels up to 300 metres, supported by soil pillars.
Mr Kauta said the mining system is dangerously unstable, with miners digging caves and leaving weak support pillars often disturbed by others searching for quick gold at night.
“Miners dig underground caves and leave pillars, but those who enter at night for quick gold often ignore them, causing collapses,” Mr Kauta said.
Source: Daily monitor