Sad News!! Police Patrol Knocks Down Mourning Father During Protest Over Daughter’s Death in Mukono Quarry

A grieving father was knocked down by a police patrol vehicle during a protest against the reopening of a stone quarry in Nakisunga Sub-county, Mukono District, days after his 12-year-old daughter reportedly died in an uncovered excavation at the site.

John Kabegere, a resident of Nangwa in Nakisunga, was among residents who demonstrated on Monday against the resumption of operations at GLA Stone Quarry in Kiwugo Village. His daughter, Jesca Nalujja, a Primary Five pupil, reportedly fell into a deep pit and died while looking after goats in the area on Saturday.

Nalujja’s death reignited long-standing complaints from residents who accuse the quarry operators of leaving dangerous excavations unsecured, damaging houses and exposing the community to safety and environmental risks. Residents say they have raised concerns about the quarry’s operations for more than five years without a lasting solution.

The demonstration took a dramatic turn when police officers arrived to disperse the protesters. According to accounts from the scene, three police patrol vehicles responded, and officers reportedly held discussions with some local leaders. However, the talks failed to resolve the standoff, and police subsequently ordered the residents to leave.

A video circulating on social media appears to show a police patrol driving towards the demonstrators, narrowly missing a woman before striking or knocking down Kabegere, who is seen rolling on the ground. The footage has raised questions about the conduct of the officers and prompted calls for an investigation into the incident.

In a statement posted on its official X account, police acknowledged the circulating video and said investigations had commenced. “We have taken note of a video circulating on social media showing a police vehicle allegedly knocking down an unidentified person in Mukono. Investigations into the incident have commenced, and further details will be provided in due course,” the statement reads. Police did not identify Kabegere or explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The quarry is owned by Kampala-based investor Guster Lule Ntake and operated by his son, Guster Lutaaya. Residents say they want compensation for alleged damage to their properties and other losses, which they say would help them acquire alternative land and relocate to safer areas. Following Nalujja’s death, quarry management reportedly agreed to meet affected residents and begin discussions on compensation.

However, residents say they took to the streets after learning that quarry operations had resumed before their concerns were resolved. They also accuse Mukono District environment officials of failing to act on complaints about the site, with some alleging possible bribery. District Environment Officer John Damba has denied receiving bribes and said he had never received formal complaints from the affected residents.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about whether complaints were submitted, what action authorities took and whether the quarry complied with applicable safety and environmental requirements. Authorities are being urged to establish whether the excavation that claimed Nalujja’s life was adequately secured and whether the quarry had the necessary approvals and inspections.

The child’s death and the incident involving the police patrol require separate investigations. One should establish the circumstances surrounding Nalujja’s death and the safety of the quarry, while the other should determine what happened during the protest and whether the officers acted lawfully. For Kabegere’s family and the wider Kiwugo community, the demands remain clear: safety, accountability, compensation for verified losses and justice for the young girl whose death sparked the protest.