Residents of Buduli Zone, Nabwigulu Sub-County in Kamuli District, are in shock after a 52-year-old mother and her 25-year-old daughter tragically lost their lives in a suspected case of electrical negligence. The victims, Tapenesi Kyaliki Kazibira and her daughter Manjeri Nabirye, were electrocuted by uninsulated hanging wires near their home.
Kazibira, the wife of the local chairperson, Mr. Grace Kazibira, was reportedly hanging clothes on a clothesline near a dangerously exposed electrical wire. The shock occurred when she made contact with the wire, causing her to collapse. In a desperate attempt to save her mother, Nabirye was also electrocuted and fell to the ground, both women dying instantly, according to police reports.
Busoga North Police Spokesperson, Mr. Michael Kasadha, confirmed that investigations are underway to understand how the two electrical wires became entangled in such a hazardous manner. He urged local residents to report any damaged or unsafe electrical infrastructure to prevent further tragedies. “Inform utility agencies or local authorities wherever you come across dilapidated electrical wires as a way of preventing the occurrence of such fatal incidents,” Mr. Kasadha advised.
The community is pointing to negligence on the part of Umeme, the electricity distribution company, which has reportedly failed to act despite numerous complaints about the poor condition of the electric poles in the area. According to Mr. Richard Kalisa, a neighbor of the Kazibira family, the electric poles in the zone are decaying, and the wires have been hanging dangerously for months. “We started complaining about the hanging wires long ago, but our concerns have been ignored,” he said.
In response, Mr. George Ssentongo, the general manager of Umeme’s Kamuli branch, stated that he was awaiting a formal police report before making any comments. “We are still waiting for a police briefing, and investigations are ongoing. We will address the situation once we have more information,” he explained.
The local leadership has also expressed concern over the incident. Mr. Tito Batwawula, the Local Council III Chairperson of Nabwigulu Sub-County, called on the government to offer support to the grieving family. “It is not their fault; they are victims of poor infrastructure. My prayer is that the government, through Umeme, compensates the bereaved family,” he said.
The bodies of Kazibira and Nabirye were taken to Kamuli General Hospital for postmortem examinations as police continue their investigation into the cause of the fatal electrocutions.
This tragedy is not an isolated incident. Over the years, there have been multiple reports of electrocutions in Uganda caused by poorly maintained electrical infrastructure, with many residents expressing frustration over slow responses from utility companies like Umeme.
As investigations continue, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served and that steps will be taken to prevent further loss of life due to electrical hazards.
