Kampala was rocked by a tragic accident on Friday, 29th November 2025, when a 19-year-old man lost his life after being electrocuted while working on a construction site in Bruno Zone, Lower Konge, Makindye Division. The deceased, identified as Basalira, was plastering the exterior wall of a building on the second floor when he accidentally came into contact with high-voltage three-phase electricity lines. The incident occurred around 12:30pm, according to authorities.
Efforts to save Basalira turned dangerous when a second individual, Owomugisha Emmanuel, tried to assist him and also suffered an electric shock. He is currently admitted at Mulago Hospital in critical condition. The Uganda Police Force confirmed that the scene was promptly documented by detectives and Scene of Crime Officers, and the body was taken to the City Mortuary at Mulago for a postmortem examination. At this stage, no arrests have been made as investigations continue.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police, through Deputy PRO ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, urged the public to exercise extreme caution when working near electrical installations. Safety guidelines include maintaining a safe distance from live electricity lines, consulting relevant authorities such as the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) before starting construction, and using insulated tools and protective gear. The police also warned against attempting to rescue electrocuted individuals with bare hands, stressing the importance of first switching off the power or using dry, non-conductive materials.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by electricity when proper safety measures are not observed. Police are appealing to construction site owners, builders, and casual laborers to prioritize safety to prevent such tragedies in the future. Further updates from the ongoing investigation will be shared with the public in due course.
