Two men suffocate to death inside deep well while fixing water pump

Two men have died after being suffocated while attempting to repair a water pump inside a deep underground well in Mityana District.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at about 1pm in Bifuma LC1, Kakindu Sub-county.

The deceased have been identified as Brown Rogers and another man only identified as Rasta.

Police said the two were fixing a water pump at the residence of Bamulanzeeki Mohammed when tragedy struck.

According to Wamala Regional Police spokesperson SSP L Kigozi, Rasta first entered the well to repair the pump but soon developed breathing difficulties due to inadequate oxygen.

His colleague reportedly followed him into the well to help him but was also overcome by the lack of oxygen.

Both men died inside the well.

The incident was reported to Kakindu Police Station by village chairperson Ssemango James.

Kakindu Police was later reinforced by officers from Mityana and the Wamala Regional Fire and Rescue Services team commanded by AIP Sabala Tonny.

The rescue team assessed the scene before retrieving the two bodies from the well.

The bodies were taken to Mityana General Hospital for postmortem examination.

Police have urged people who bring workers into communities to ensure they are introduced to and profiled by local leaders.

Kigozi said the identities of the two men had not been fully established because their employer had not presented them to local authorities for profiling.

Police inquiries into the incident are ongoing.