GOLDMINE HORROR! Cops Shut Down Bukana Mine After Deadly Collapses, Child Labour Claims
A major gold mining operation in Namayingo District has been shut down after shocking reports emerged of children working deep underground, repeated mine collapses, illegal operations and dangerous conditions that allegedly put dozens of lives at risk.
The crackdown was carried out by minerals police in Busoga East, who ordered the immediate closure of Bukana gold mine located in Mabuka Village, Bukana Sub-county, following intelligence reports pointing to serious violations of mining regulations and safety standards.
Authorities say the decision to close the mine was prompted by disturbing findings indicating that juveniles below the age of 18 were actively involved in mining activities at the site. The reports further revealed that workers were operating in hazardous underground conditions without basic protective equipment required for mining operations.
Investigators found that many of the miners, including minors, were digging for underground gold deposits without gumboots, gloves, overalls, oxygen masks or any other protective gear.
The workers were reportedly relying on crude and rudimentary tools such as hand hoes and basins while using mercury to separate gold particles from rubble. In many cases, the extraction process was allegedly carried out using bare hands, exposing miners to serious health hazards and life-threatening accidents.
Security agencies became increasingly alarmed after intelligence reports indicated that several children had previously been buried by collapsing mine rubble. Even more disturbing were allegations that some of these incidents never made it into official records.
According to the reports, accidents at the mine were allegedly being concealed, with claims that in cases where miners died, bodies were quietly retrieved and buried by close relatives without notifying authorities. Such practices, investigators say, have made it difficult for regulators and law enforcement agencies to establish the true scale of accidents occurring at the site.
Busoga East Police Spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed that the mine had been closed and said investigations into the allegations are ongoing.
Kasadha said preliminary findings suggest the mining operation was running illegally and without compliance with mandatory licensing and safety requirements.
He noted that authorities are investigating multiple alleged breaches, including failure to observe employment regulations, operating without required safety standards and exposing workers to dangerous conditions without protective equipment.
The situation took an even more alarming turn when Kasadha revealed details of a recent mine collapse.
According to police, the mine caved in on Sunday, May 31, 2026, burying more than six children beneath the rubble.
A rescue operation was immediately launched and continued through the night. The trapped victims were eventually rescued during the early hours of the following day.
Kasadha said rescue efforts continued until Monday night, when authorities finally concluded the operation.
Following the rescue mission, police moved swiftly to shut down the mine and deployed security personnel to enforce the closure order and prevent further activity at the site.
The closure marks a dramatic intervention by authorities as concerns mount over illegal mining operations, child labour and dangerous working conditions in parts of eastern Uganda.
Investigators are now digging deeper into the operations at Bukana gold mine as efforts intensify to establish the full extent of compliance breaches and determine whether criminal liability may arise from the activities that have been taking place at the site.
With reports of children working underground, allegations of unreported deaths and the recent collapse that buried more than six minors, the Bukana gold mine scandal has become one of the most disturbing mining safety cases to emerge in the region, leaving authorities under pressure to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents from occurring elsewhere.
GOT A HOT STORY? EMAIL: redpeppertips@gmail.
SOURCE PROTECTION/CONFIDENTIALITY IS OUR NO.1 PRIORITY.
About Post Author
