Police in Lira City are investigating circumstances under which a student of Buluge Technical School was reportedly killed at a construction site of the World Bank-funded USMID program.
The deceased, identified as Sam Okol, 27, a second-year student of plumbing at Buluge Technical School, reportedly escaped from school and went to Adyel Children’s Park, where the construction work is ongoing by Abubaker Technical, to do casual work.
The preliminary report revealed that the deceased, who had left school without the notice of the authority, reportedly met his death after stepping on a live electric wire while climbing down from the tank at the site.
It is a common practice for most students, especially those from privately owned schools within Lira City, to escape to engage in various activities within the city, including disco and attending public gatherings at the mayor’s garden, among others.
The incident has put the leadership of Buluge Comprehensive School on the spot, with many parents questioning the circumstances under which the deceased left school without the knowledge of the authority. The school has yet to issue an official statement regarding how Akol could have left school and ended up being killed at the construction site in Lira City.
SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga regional police spokesperson, confirmed the ongoing investigation, saying the incident took place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at around 1015 hours.
“Relevant statements were recorded from witnesses, and preliminary findings indicate there was water logging on the said tank stand and electric wire running from the switch connected to the machine up to the tank stand where the deceased was electrocuted,” said SP Okema.
This is the second time a casual worker at the Abubaker Technical Services site has been killed.
A section of local leaders have since condemned the manner in which Abubaker technical services have failed to ensure the personal protection of their casual workers.
Daniel Okelo, the Speaker of Lira City West Division Council, tasked Abubaker Technical Services with providing protective gear for their workers. He urged them to compensate the family of the deceased.
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