RUBANDA – Police in Rubanda District have confirmed the tragic deaths of two individuals who were buried by a sand collapse while allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities at the Nyamuriro Wolfram mining site in the early hours of Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
According to preliminary reports, three men had illegally entered the site during the night to carry out unauthorized sand mining operations. Tragically, a section of the sand caved in, trapping them. Two of the men died instantly, while a third, whose identity remains unconfirmed, managed to escape and is currently at large.
The deceased have been identified as Acleo Bushato, 27, and Muhumuza, both residents of Kalere Trading Centre in Kara Parish, Muko Sub-county.
The incident was reported to the Nyamuriro Mineral Police Post at approximately 5:00 AM. The District Police Commander (DPC) of Rubanda promptly dispatched a team to the scene. Upon arrival, officers found that the bodies had already been recovered. The police team was accompanied by Mr. Onesmus, the former chairperson of KI3R Mining Company Limited, and two police guards who had been present at the site.
Following the recovery operation, the DPC, the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations Department (OC CID), and other officers proceeded to Kalere Trading Centre. There, they conducted a community policing session, sensitizing residents about the dangers and legal consequences of engaging in unauthorized mining activities.
Police investigations into the incident are currently ongoing.
ASP Maate Elly, the Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, urged the public to refrain from illegal mining and to cooperate with authorities to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
