Tragedy Strikes Kanyanda Village As Siblings Die In Abandoned Pit Latrine

n a heart-wrenching incident, Kanyanda Village in Makulubita Sub County, Luweero District, is engulfed in sorrow as the community mourns the tragic loss of two siblings, 30-year-old Margaret Nakimera and 50-year-old Yonasan Ssempijja. The untimely demise unfolded when both individuals fell into an abandoned pit latrine in their community.

On January 27, 2024, Margaret Nakimera, employed as a house help at Ms. Faith Nalwanga’s residence, went out to fetch firewood. In a tragic turn of events, she accidentally fell into an open pit latrine, a fall that proved fatal. Upon discovering his sister’s predicament, Yonasan Ssempijja bravely attempted a rescue but tragically met the same fate, losing his life instantly.

Mr. Sam Twineamazima, the Savannah Region Police Spokesperson, reported that the Police fire brigade team from Luweero Central Police Station successfully retrieved the lifeless bodies of the siblings. Although postmortem results were pending at the time of reporting, relatives suggested that suffocation and injuries from the fall into the abandoned pit latrine, estimated to be more than 45 feet deep, likely led to the tragic outcome.

Mr. Erukana Ssempijja, a relative interviewed on Sunday, expressed concerns about the pit’s depth, possible water accumulation, and insufficient air, which may have contributed to the tragic incident.

Despite efforts to independently verify information from relatives, the Daily Monitor was unable to obtain the Police postmortem report by press time on Sunday. However, police sources revealed that a case of Rash and Neglect is being investigated, with potential sanctions against the owner of the abandoned pit.

“You are held responsible when you leave such open pits on your land without fencing or guarding the area for possible accidents. The investigation team will determine the appropriate charges,” stated a police officer involved in the inquiry.

Faith Nalwanga, the employer of the deceased Margaret Nakimera, expressed suspicion when Nakimera failed to return home even after four hours of reportedly leaving to gather firewood.

Ugandan law categorizes incomplete and uncovered pits as public nuisances, and the owner of such open pits may face charges of rash and neglect if accidents occur. Section 227 of the Penal Code Act forms the basis for this charge. The investigation into this tragic incident continues, leaving the community grappling with the profound loss of two lives in this heartbreaking accident.