Residents of Kiwugo Village in Nakisunga, Mukono District, have blocked operations at GLA quarry following the death of 12-year-old Nalujja Jesca, who reportedly drowned in a water-filled excavation, demanding compensation for her family and safety measures to prevent further deaths.
The protest saw the girl’s father, John Kamegere, and other relatives gather at the quarry entrance, where they laid blankets and brought food to block access to the site, preventing workers and stone-carrying trucks from entering.
Kamegere said he was dissatisfied with the company’s response to his daughter’s death and demanded that its management explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and compensate the bereaved family.
The incident has reignited longstanding concerns among residents about the quarry’s operations and the alleged conduct of its owner, Guster Lule, whom some community members have accused of treating them violently.
Tensions escalated when police officers from Mukono arrived at the scene in two patrol vehicles. According to accounts of the incident, one of the vehicles accidentally knocked down Kamegere, who was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
Other family members who had gathered at the quarry were reportedly arrested and taken to Mukono Police Station, sparking further anger among residents who questioned the deployment of police against a grieving family seeking answers over the child’s death.
Nakisunga Subcounty chairperson Stephen Mufuwa later intervened to calm tensions between the residents and the company.
Mufuwa directed the quarry management to install protective chain-link fencing around open pits and water-filled excavations to reduce the risk of further accidents. Residents were also instructed to end the protest, allowing quarry operations to resume.
Meanwhile, Guster Ntake, through the Nakisunga LC3 chairperson, reportedly called for complaints from affected residents to be formally registered for consideration and possible compensation.
During a subsequent visit to the quarry, the chairperson inspected the site, including the excavations and drainage channels. The inspection reportedly found that work on installing protective netting had begun.
The detained family members were later released on police bond, although tensions remain in Kiwugo as residents continue to demand accountability from GLA quarry management and compensation for the bereaved family.
The incident has renewed calls for effective safeguards around open excavations and water-filled pits at the quarry to protect residents, particularly children, from similar accidents.
Standfirst: The death of 12-year-old Nalujja Jesca in a water-filled quarry pit has sparked protests in Mukono, with residents demanding compensation, accountability and protective fencing around dangerous excavations.