Wedding Celebration Turns Bloody As 6 Get Electrocuted While Erecting Wedding Tent; Groom Hospitalized
Tragedy struck in Butawata Village, Kigando Subcounty, Mubende District, when six individuals were electrocuted while setting up a wedding tent.
The victims, identified as Godwin Asaba, Boaz Byamukama, Jordan Ayebazibwe, George Walusiimbi, Ambrose Kakuru, and Innocent Basamira, were all residents of Kigando.
The incident occurred when a pipe accidentally came into contact with a live wire, resulting in electric shock. Witnesses described the scene as shocking and devastating, with the deceased persons falling to the ground immediately after the electric shock.
The wedding ceremony, scheduled for Nelson Bitamugaya, was canceled as a mark of respect for the deceased.
The family of the groom had earlier received the bride’s hand in marriage according to their cultural tradition,
making the incident even more tragic. “We were supposed to have a
wedding ceremony for our colleague Nelson Bitamugaya but it’s unfortunate our people died in an electric shocking, “Muwonge said.
“These wires are so close to the ground, he said, “imagine a pole for the tent to hit overheard powerline, it’ s really bad and they should come and replace electric poles. ”
*This is not the first time electricity is shocking our people but in the first incident the man who was constructing a house was not harmed”
Subsequently, victims were laid to rest amidst tears and sorrow.
The six individuals, who were erecting a tent for a wedding ceremony, met their untimely death when the tent accidentally came into contact with a live wire. The incident has left the community in shock and grief.
During the burial, local leaders called upon Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to compensate the families of the
victims.
Benon Kwikiriza, the councillor representing Kiyonga Parish, emphasized the significance of the deceased individuals, who were breadwinners and pillars in their
families.
Aron Muzoora, the chairperson for Kigando sub-county, echoed the same sentiments, urging UEDCL to take responsibility for the tragedy.
Mubende Woman MP, Hope Grania Nakazibwe, promised to follow up the matter with UEDCL to ensure that the families receive compensation and that the public is sensitized on the dangers of high-voltage lines.
Nakazibwe stressed the need for UEDCL to take action, as many people are unaware of the risks associated with electric lines.
UEDCL released a statement sympathizing with the families of the deceased and expressing condolences.
Local residents blamed the contractors in charge of electricity in Kassambya Constituency for not ensuring the wires were raised to the required level, posing a significant risk to the community.
Aron Muzoora, the Kigaando Subcounty chairperson, called on authorities to sensitize locals about the dangers of electricity and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The families of the victims and the community are in mourning, and the tragedy has left a significant impact on the area.
