A grieving father was knocked down by a police patrol vehicle during a protest against the reopening of a stone quarry in Mukono District, days after his 12-year-old daughter reportedly died in an uncovered pit at the site.
MUKONO, Uganda — Tensions have escalated in Kiwugo Village, Nakisunga Sub-county, Mukono District, following the death of a schoolgirl at a stone quarry and a subsequent confrontation in which a police patrol vehicle reportedly knocked down her grieving father during a community protest.
John Kabegere, a resident of Nangwa in Nakisunga, was among residents who demonstrated against the resumption of operations at the GLA Stone Quarry after his daughter, Jesca Nalujja, a 12-year-old Primary Five pupil, reportedly fell into an uncovered excavation and died.
Nalujja reportedly died on Saturday after falling into a deep pit while looking after goats in the area. Her death has reignited longstanding concerns among residents over safety at the quarry, alleged damage to homes and what they describe as inadequate action by the relevant authorities.
The protest took place on Monday, October 12, 2026, when residents reportedly learned that quarry activities had resumed before their outstanding concerns had been resolved.
Police Vehicle Knocks Down Father During Protest
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 to the gathering. Officers reportedly held discussions with some local leaders in an attempt to resolve the standoff, but the talks did not produce an agreement.
Police subsequently ordered the demonstrators to disperse.
Video footage circulating on social media appears to show a police patrol vehicle driving towards the crowd, narrowly missing a woman before striking Kabegere and knocking him to the ground.
The incident has raised concerns about the conduct of the officers involved and the safety of residents participating in demonstrations to demand accountability.
In a statement posted on its official X account, Uganda Police Force acknowledged the circulating footage and confirmed that investigations had begun.
Police stated that they had taken note of a video showing a patrol vehicle allegedly knocking down an unidentified person in Mukono and promised to provide further information as inquiries progressed.
However, the police statement did not identify Kabegere or explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigators are expected to establish what happened, identify the officers involved and determine whether the actions of the police personnel complied with the law and applicable operational procedures.
12-Year-Old Girl Dies in Uncovered Quarry Pit
The protest followed the reported death of Jesca Nalujja, a 12-year-old pupil whose death has intensified calls for improved safety measures at the quarry.
According to accounts reported from the area, Nalujja fell into an uncovered excavation while looking after goats and subsequently died.
Her death has left her family mourning while raising questions about who was responsible for securing the excavation and preventing people, particularly children, from accessing the dangerous site.
Residents accuse the quarry operators of leaving hazardous pits unsecured and say the incident reflects safety concerns they have raised for years.
They want the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nalujja’s death, determine whether appropriate safety precautions were in place and establish whether the quarry complied with applicable environmental and operational requirements.
The findings could help determine responsibility and identify measures needed to prevent similar tragedies.
Residents Raise Longstanding Complaints Against GLA Stone Quarry
The GLA Stone Quarry in Kiwugo Village has reportedly been at the centre of disputes with neighbouring residents for more than five years.
The quarry is owned by Kampala-based investor Guster Lule Ntake and operated by his son, Guster Lutaaya.
Residents claim that quarry operations have contributed to damage to their houses and exposed the surrounding community to dangerous excavations and other safety and environmental risks.
They say they have repeatedly sought intervention from the relevant authorities but remain dissatisfied with the response to their complaints.
Some residents are also demanding compensation for alleged damage to their properties and other losses. They say compensation would help affected families acquire alternative land and relocate to safer areas.
Following Nalujja’s death, quarry management reportedly agreed to meet residents to discuss compensation. Lutaaya also reportedly agreed to begin the compensation process.
However, residents say the situation remained unresolved when they learned that quarry activities had resumed, prompting the demonstration.
For the community, the issue goes beyond compensation. Residents want the alleged hazards addressed and assurances that children and other people living near the quarry will not face similar dangers.
Mukono Environment Officer Denies Bribery Allegations
The dispute has also drawn attention to the role of local authorities responsible for environmental oversight.
Some residents accuse officials in Mukono District’s Environment and Natural Resources Department of failing to respond adequately to their complaints. They have also raised suspicions about possible improper relationships between officials and the quarry management.
These allegations have not been independently established.
Mukono District Environment Officer John Damba has denied claims that his office received bribes from the quarry owner to suppress complaints. He said the accusations had tarnished the department’s reputation.
Damba also maintained that he had never received formal complaints from the affected residents.
The conflicting accounts have created questions about whether complaints were officially submitted, which offices received them and what action was taken.
A review of complaint records, inspection reports, correspondence and environmental compliance documents could help establish whether the relevant authorities fulfilled their responsibilities.
Residents want the district to clarify what action was taken in response to the alleged safety hazards and whether the quarry has met the applicable regulatory requirements.
Residents Demand Justice and Accountability
For residents of Kiwugo and neighbouring communities, Nalujja’s death and the incident involving Kabegere have intensified calls for accountability.
They want authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, examine the safety of the quarry and ensure that any outstanding complaints are addressed.
They are also seeking a transparent process for resolving compensation claims relating to alleged property damage.
The reported agreement between quarry management and residents could provide a starting point for negotiations, but it does not remove the need for an independent assessment of the safety concerns or an investigation into Nalujja’s death.
Similarly, the police investigation must establish how Kabegere was knocked down and whether the officers involved acted lawfully.
The two incidents raise separate issues that require appropriate attention: the safety of the quarry site and the conduct of police officers during a public demonstration.
Authorities also face questions about whether the quarry was adequately inspected, whether corrective measures were necessary and whether residents’ complaints were properly handled.
Questions Remain Over Quarry Safety and Police Conduct
The events in Nakisunga have left residents seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, the management of the quarry and the response to their protest.
Key questions include whether the excavation that claimed Nalujja’s life was adequately secured, whether the quarry complied with applicable safety and environmental requirements, and whether the police response during the demonstration was lawful and proportionate.
The findings of credible investigations would help establish the facts and guide any appropriate legal or administrative action.
For Nalujja’s family, the immediate concern is justice for their daughter. For the wider community, the demand is for safer surroundings, accountability from those found responsible and a lasting resolution to the disputes surrounding the quarry.
As investigations continue, residents are waiting for answers from police, district authorities and quarry management.
The community now wants more than promises: it wants the circumstances surrounding the tragedy established, safety concerns addressed and those found responsible held accountable under the law.
