A tragic accident occurred on Thursday morning in Mubende when six individuals were electrocuted while setting up a tent for a wedding ceremony. The incident took place in Butawata E village, Kigando parish, causing shock and grief among the community.
The police in the Wamala region confirmed that the fatalities were caused by the tent’s metallic edge coming into contact with high-voltage power cables. The six victims were hired by the groom to erect tents for his wedding, scheduled for later that day.
Rachael Kawala, the police spokesperson for the Wamala region, reported that the incident happened around 9:00 am. The victims were identified as:
- Godwin Asaba Bidewa, 40, from Kigando village
- Byamukama Boaz, 51, from Namugongo village
- Ayebazibwe Jordan, 22, a businessman from Butawata W village
- Walusimbi George, 19, from Rwensha village, Kigando parish
- Kakuru Ambrose, 30, from Lusanga village, Kigando parish
- Nasasira Innocent, 32, a Boda Boda rider from Kabateza “B” village, Kigando parish
Preliminary investigations suggest that the men were electrocuted by three-phase power lines when the tent they were erecting accidentally touched the cables. Following the incident, a task team led by the District Police Commander (DPC) of Mubende and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) responded to the scene.
Kawala explained that the police had opened a case of rush and neglect causing death, with the reference number KSB CRB:160/202. Police detectives have gathered statements from witnesses, and the bodies of the deceased were taken to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations.
The groom, Otamugaya Nelson, a former teacher at Kigando SEED Secondary School, was overwhelmed by shock and collapsed. He was taken to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital for first aid and was still admitted at the time of reporting.
Due to the tragic event, the wedding was cancelled, and the community mourned the loss of the six individuals. Authorities also discovered that there were illegal power connections in the area.
“We caution members of the public against illegal power connections as it is life-threatening. May their souls rest in peace,” Kawala stated, noting that inquiries into the incident were ongoing.
