Last Updated on: 7th June 2023, 11:51 am
Lira, June 7, 2023: The territorial command at Lira City Central Police Station is investigating circumstances under which a building which was under construction collapsed and killed two people.
Ten others were injured in the unfortunate event. This report was brought to the attention of the Police by one Yoventine Omara, 62. According to Police, Omara is a resident at Starch Factory ‘A’, Adyel ‘A’ ward in Lira City
The deceased have been identified as Justine Olel, 55, and Ilem Isaac an Itesot. They were porters working at the collapsed building.
It’s alleged that on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at around 1600 hours at Peacock Hotel in senior quarters, the building that was under construction suddenly collapsed and instantly buried two and injured ten others.
Those injured were rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for treatment, while the dead bodies were conveyed to the Hospital mortuary for postmortem
The deceased bodies’ were removed with the help of an excavator.
North Kyoga Region Police Spokesperson, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema said the scene was visited by both DPCs of West Division and CPS, Division CID Officer, Lira City CPS and the homicide team.
“We are yet to get a statement from the owner of the building and also confirm approvals from the City engineering team for the construction of that building,” said SP Okema.
Sam Atul, the Mayor of Lira City has now cautioned the locals from using quack engineers who do shoddy work at the expense of lives.
Atul says most people in Lira City tend to hire people who do not have relevant qualifications in the building.
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“Ordinarily, what should have happened would be getting clearance from the engineering department of Lira City Council. So, we are yet to establish whether this was an illegal site or a site that was certified by our engineers,” Atul added.
Atul appeals to the public to always seek and endeavour to follow procedures when it comes to construction within Lira City.
“People intending to build must get approved plans from Lira City who will help in following up with City Council engineers in case of such incidents,” added Atul.
Just like Atul, the Resident City Commissioner, Lawrence Egole, said aside from using quack engineers, other factors like environmental factors, among others could have ignited the collapse of the said building.
RCC Egole said that a lot of people enter into construction work without approved plans, technical advice and guidance from the City Council authority.
In recent months, about three buildings among them Blue Valley Guest House on Olwol Road, Lira City collapsed, killing one.
A commercial building hosting Abacus Pharmacy LTD commonly called “Jobless Corner” also collapsed killing a cobbler identified as Isaac Salekwa, 20.