UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | A quiet afternoon in Bruno Zone, Lower Konge in Kampala’s Makindye Division turned tragic when a 19-year-old construction worker was fatally electrocuted at a building site. The teenager, identified by colleagues only as Basalira, had been plastering the upper exterior wall of a two-storey structure when he accidentally made contact with high-voltage power lines running close to the building. The shock killed him instantly.
Another young worker who rushed to help him was also electrocuted. He survived but remains in critical condition at Mulago Hospital, according to area residents.
The incident sent shock waves through the community, with neighbours recalling the horrifying moments that followed.
One woman who lives nearby described the scene with a trembling voice: “He was just a boy trying to earn a living. I saw him working there every day. Then suddenly we heard people screaming. By the time help arrived, it was already too late.”
Police officers who responded to the scene cordoned off the site and began preliminary investigations, focusing on how construction work was allowed to continue so close to exposed electric lines. Officers noted that the building had risen within a dangerous distance of the power cables, creating a deadly environment for anyone working on the upper floors.
A senior officer who visited the site expressed deep concern.
“This is a heartbreaking incident. It is a reminder that electricity does not forgive mistakes. Construction near power lines must be handled with extreme caution, and unfortunately that caution was missing here,” he said.
In the wake of the incident, police issued a renewed warning to contractors, site supervisors and property owners across Kampala. They emphasised the need for strict adherence to building guidelines, especially regarding safe distances from electricity infrastructure. The message was clear: lives depend on it.
Safety officials also underscored the importance of protective gear and proper training for workers, many of whom are young men from modest backgrounds trying to support their families. A construction-safety advocate familiar with similar cases said the tragedy reflects a larger pattern.
“Our construction sites are full of energetic young people who work hard, but many lack proper equipment and knowledge about electrical hazards. Without training and supervision, they are exposed to unacceptable risks.”
Residents in Lower Konge say the event has left them shaken and reflective about the realities of informal and unregulated building practices. Kampala’s rapid growth has seen a surge in construction, but oversight often lags behind. Buildings are erected near footpaths, drainage channels, and, increasingly, power lines — creating hazards not just for workers, but for the surrounding community.
A local elder who knew the boy’s family expressed the sorrow felt across the neighbourhood. “We are mourning with his parents. This young man woke up to work, not to die. It pains us deeply. These things must be prevented.”
Police also took the opportunity to remind the public about how to respond in electrocution emergencies. They cautioned that touching a victim directly can lead to additional casualties. Instead, the power source must first be shut off, or the victim separated using non-conductive materials.
As the investigation continues, no arrests have been made, though officers said they are interviewing the site supervisors, property owner and workers present at the scene. The findings may determine whether negligence played a role.
For now, the tragedy stands as a sobering warning — one that highlights what happens when safety protocols are ignored amid the rush of urban development. In a city where new buildings rise every week, the loss of a young life has reignited calls for responsibility, regulation and respect for the invisible dangers that surround construction sites.
“It should never take a death for us to remember safety,” the police officer said quietly as he left the site. “But too often, it does.”
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