Police in the Greater Bushenyi Region are investigating the circumstances under which a 24-year-old man died at a timber factory in Sheema District.

The deceased, identified as Crescent Tugumenawe, 24, a resident of Mushunga village in Mitooma district, died on October 18, after a log loader cut his lower abdomen while on duty at the Sheema municipality.

He was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead on the same day. He was buried in Mushunga village on October 20.

Greater Bushenyi Regional Police spokesperson Marcial Tumusiime said they are investigating how this death occurred, as it would be a case of negligence on the part of Gauhau Investment Limited, the factory for which the victim worked.

“The information we received from the production manager of this factory is that it was an accident. The machine that the deceased was driving had a problem and while trying to fix it he was hit by a log that pushed him into the trimmer that cut him in the abdomen,” he said.

Tumusiime added: “But the other information we are investigating is that the worker was not wearing protective equipment to ensure his safety. “We condemn this and are moving to ensure that all factories have safety measures in place to prevent these types of accidents.”

Frank Berutsya, Tugumenawe’s uncle, welcomed investigations into the matter.

“In these factories, the rights and protection of workers must be respected; there are reports that our son did not have protective equipment. He (Tugumenawe) could possibly have survived if he had been protected. This death is an eye-opener and the government should crack down on these types of factories, otherwise we will continue to lose many people due to negligence,” Berutsya said.

Mrs Jolly Tukamusiima, Tugumenawe’s mother, said her son was the breadwinner for her family and they are wondering how they (the family) are going to take care of his siblings.

“He didn’t get a higher education because we couldn’t pay his school fees, so he has been doing odd jobs but taking care of us, especially his siblings, paying their school fees, I don’t know what to do now,” he said. .

Tukamusiima said the family still does not know exactly what happened to their son, but called on the government to expedite compensation for his family.

“I know my son is gone and it is a very challenging time, but the company should compensate us. “My call is for the government and other leaders to help us see that we are compensated for this loss,” he said.

Frank Kyerere, who represented the factory at the burial ceremony, said Tugumenawe died in an accident.

“This was purely an accident, there was nothing like negligence on the part of the factory. We have security measures. “We are going to work with the family to see how they can be compensated,” he said.

Dianah Namatovu, Sheema Municipal Council labor officer, said her office is also investigating whether the factory respects labor laws and ensures the safety of workers.

“These companies should have safety officers to ensure workers are protected, including protective equipment. In this particular incident we are conducting investigations to determine whether it was an accident or negligence,” he said, adding that his office was working with Tugumenawe’s family to obtain compensation.