KISORO: A 25-year-old man tragically lost his life on Wednesday after being buried by falling debris while mining sand at the Kabeshero sand mine in Gakoro Village, Rwingwe Parish, Nyakabande Sub County, Kisoro District.
The deceased has been identified as Ozius Niyonsaba, a peasant and resident of the same village. The incident reportedly occurred around 10:00 AM and was reported to Kisoro Central Police Station by Michael Rwerekana, the Local Council One Chairperson of Gakoro Village.
According to police reports, Niyonsaba had earlier attended morning prayers at Gakoro Catholic Church with his wife, Rosette, and his mother, Gertrude Mukankusi. After returning home around 7:00 AM, Niyonsaba later left for sand quarrying at Kabeshero.
At approximately 8:30 AM, his mother, Mukankusi, received news that her son had been buried by a collapse of sand and rocks while working at the mine. He died at the scene.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed that a case of sudden death was recorded at Mutolere Police Post and later at Kisoro Central Police Station, following a report from Chairperson Rwerekana.
The scene was visited and documented by PC Ntakirutimana Seith, the Officer in Charge at Mutolere Police Post, along with other officers. Statements were obtained from eyewitnesses, including the deceased’s mother and brother.
A postmortem examination was conducted, and the body was handed over to the family for burial. Police say investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
