At least five dead after building collapses in Uganda

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - At least five workers are dead following the collapse of a building under construction in eastern Uganda while many others remain under the rubble, authorities said Thursday.

The two-story building, located on Madhivani Road in the city of Jinja, collapsed Wednesday evening.

A combined rescue team of residents, police and the Uganda Red Cross is working to retrieve bodies as hopes of finding more survivors fade.

Kiira regional police spokesperson Diana Nandawula told journalists that eight workers had been rescued after the building came crashing down on them and they were rushed to Jinja Referral Hospital while four others suffered minor injuries and five bodies had been retrieved.

Jinja Central Division chairman Mubarak Kirunda said more than 20 workers are feared to be under the rubble.

The victims were among a team who were working at the site.

Kirunda attributed the accident to poor workmanship, saying the building was under construction without supervision.

Augustine Musisi, an employee, said the site engineer died last week and they were operating without a supervisor.

Susan Mudeebo, a food vendor, said she served food to 35 workers and later in the evening on her way to collect the money from them, before she could reach the site, she saw the building coming down and ran as fast as she could.

Rescue workers have asked for silence at the site while encouraging possible survivors to shout out in order to hone in on them better. Wailing voices that were earlier heard under the rubble have faded.

Roads around the area remain cordoned off to allow rescue workers better access.

The accident happened days after another building under construction collapsed in Kananga, a Kampala suburb, killing six people.