Tragedy Strikes Bwizibwera Village as Elder Succumbs to Electrocution by Kilembe Investments Limited Transmission Lines

By: Hason Mutunzi Bwambale

In a heartbreaking incident on February 1, 2024, the tranquil community of Bwizibwera Village, Maliba Sub-County, was shaken by the untimely demise of Mzee Musa Zita. The 74-year-old elder lost his life to electrocution while attempting to clear branches that had encroached upon the transmission lines operated by Kilembe Investments Limited (KIL).

The cause of death stemmed from a tragic turn of events as a branch, during Zita’s routine pruning, fell onto the live wires. In a valiant effort to retrieve the fallen branch, he was fatally electrocuted, leaving the community mourning the loss of a respected figure.

This incident has prompted crucial questions regarding KIL’s responsibility and safety measures:

Residents are questioning whether KIL has undertaken sufficient community sensitization programs to educate locals on the potential hazards associated with the transmission lines.

Concerns are raised about whether KIL has conducted a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) project. Given that the transmission lines traverse people’s land, understanding the impact on both the environment and local communities is imperative.

The tragic event has sparked inquiries into the safety measures implemented by KIL for such a massive project. Locals want reassurance that adequate precautions are in place to prevent accidents like the one resulting in Mzee Zita’s demise.

Questions linger regarding KIL’s maintenance protocols, particularly concerning the upkeep of the environments surrounding their transmission lines. The incident raises concerns about overgrown vegetation posing risks to both the infrastructure and the community.

As the community grieves, attention turns to what remedies KIL will offer to the family of the deceased. Compensation, support, and measures to prevent such tragedies in the future are expected to be addressed by the company.

In the wake of this unfortunate event, the community eagerly awaits KIL’s response to these pressing questions. The incident has not only cast a shadow over the safety practices of the company but has also ignited a collective call for accountability and measures to prevent further tragedies along the transmission lines that traverse their homes.

Locals have also raised concern over their safety with infrastructure on their land, and why they were never consulted and compensates for the installations. And further, why an investment of such nature didn’t involve the community. The community is planning a massive action to stop KIL operations on their lands if this incident is not addressed