By Isaac Tayebwa,
KAMPALA
A 24-year-old man, Nyanzi Charles, tragically lost his life on Friday morning after he was electrocuted while helping to move a tent for a national identity card registration exercise in Ssebagala Zone, Kansanga, Makindye Division.
According to police at Kabalagala, the incident occurred when Nyanzi and three other men responded to a request from a local leader to transport a tent from SEED School Kansanga to Kansanga Police Post, the designated venue for the ID registration exercise.
While lifting the tent, the group accidentally brought its metallic frame into contact with an overhead high-voltage power line. All four men were electrocuted instantly. Nyanzi was rushed to a nearby clinic but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The three others, identified as Tanga Asuman (26), Ntambi Abraham, and one other sustained injuries and received prompt medical treatment. Their condition was reported as stable by the time of filing this report.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, confirmed the incident and said preliminary investigations revealed the tent belonged to the area LC1 chairperson and had been stored in close proximity to the overhead power lines.
“No arrests have been made, but investigations are ongoing to establish all the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event,” Owoyesigyire stated.
He further urged members of the public to exercise utmost caution when handling metallic structures near electrical infrastructure.
Police have since cordoned off the scene, and the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has been notified to conduct an assessment of the power installation in the area.
The body of the deceased was taken to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem as investigations continue.
