A devastating incident occurred in Bwerenga, Wakiso District, on Monday night, when a four-storey church building collapsed, trapping people under the debris. The building, an extension of Brother Ronnie Makabai's Holy City Church Ministries, came crashing down at around 11 pm, prompting an emergency rescue operation. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to save those trapped, and 23 people were eventually pulled from the rubble.
According to reports from Entebbe Police Station, all 23 rescued individuals sustained critical injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Nine victims were admitted to Kisubi Hospital, while the remaining were taken to Entebbe Grade B Hospital. The cause of the collapse is yet to be established, but preliminary investigations suggest that the construction may have been undertaken illegally.
The National Building Review Board (NBRB) has deployed investigators to determine the cause of the collapse and verify whether the construction complied with the country's building regulations. NBRB spokesperson Herbert Ziwa stated that investigators are collecting samples of cement, steel, and concrete for laboratory testing to establish the strength and quality of the materials used in the construction.
Katabi Town Council Mayor Frank Kajjura revealed that preliminary checks indicated that the building had not been approved by the council, suggesting that construction was undertaken without necessary permits. The site engineer and foreman reportedly disappeared following the collapse, and investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of buildings in the area, with many questioning how the construction was allowed to take place without proper oversight. The collapse has also highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of building regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The rescue operation was a challenging one, with teams working through the night to locate and rescue those trapped under the debris. The incident has sparked an outpouring of support for the victims and their families, with many calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
Investigations into the collapse are ongoing, with authorities working to establish the extent of the damage and the impact on the surrounding community. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to building regulations and ensuring that constructions are undertaken with safety in mind.
Key points
- 23 people were rescued with critical injuries from the collapsed church building in Wakiso.
- Preliminary investigations suggest that the construction may have been undertaken illegally.
- The National Building Review Board has deployed investigators to determine the cause of the collapse.
