Nearly three weeks have passed since Ben Jjuuko, a 27-year-old resident of Kkingo Trading Centre, became trapped in a deep pit, presumed to be 200 feet deep, in Nkalwe Village, Kkingo Sub-County, Lwengo District. The harrowing ordeal has left his family, friends, and community grappling with anguish and frustration as efforts to retrieve his body continue to face significant challenges.
According to Mr. Anthony Tamale, Jjuuko’s uncle, the sequence of events leading to the tragedy began when Jjuuko disappeared after leaving his house with equipment commonly used for digging pits. Concerns arose when rumors of his absence spread throughout the area, prompting family members to file a missing person report at Masaka Central Police Station. However, their search efforts proved futile until they received information regarding a body trapped in a well under construction at Kkingo Parents Primary School.
As the family’s anguish deepened, Ms. Caroline Nakalema, Jjuuko’s sister, emphasized the urgent need to retrieve her brother’s body to facilitate a dignified burial. Expressing frustration over the lack of progress and transparency, Nakalema called upon the police to enhance their efforts and collaborate effectively with relevant authorities to expedite the retrieval process.
Residents of Nkalwe Village have echoed Nakalema’s sentiments, urging the government to deploy advanced machinery and resources to aid in the retrieval operation. The community’s plea for swift intervention underscores the profound impact of the tragedy on both the family and the wider locality.
Despite initial attempts by police officers from Masaka Central Police Station to retrieve the body, their efforts have yielded no positive outcome thus far. Tragically, some officers sustained severe injuries during the rescue operation and are currently receiving treatment at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
The situation remains tense as the community anxiously awaits updates on the progress of the retrieval operation. Amidst the grief and uncertainty, there is a collective hope that with concerted efforts and enhanced resources, Jjuuko’s body will be recovered soon, providing closure to his grieving loved ones and enabling them to bid him a final farewell.
