Two killed in attempt to retrieve phone from pit latrine

Butebo (UG):- Residents of Bukatama village, Kachabali parish, Petete subcounty were Thursday left in shock and grief after two people tragically lost their lives while attempting to retrieve a mobile phone from a pit latrine.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 6:00 PM, involved the deceased identified as Daka Ronald, 23 years old, a resident of Nabulaganga village, Nabulaganga parish in Kibuku District, and Twaha Edonya, 40 years old, who lived in Nangaiza village, also in Kibuku District.

According to eyewitness accounts, Daka Ronald had ventured outside for a personal break when he accidentally dropped his mobile phone into a pit latrine. In a desperate attempt to recover the device, he widened the opening of the pit and leaned over to get a better look. Tragically, he lost his footing and fell headfirst into the latrine, which was filled with human waste.

Twaha Edonya, who had been hired for the retrieval, also slipped into the pit while trying to save Ronald. Both men were overwhelmed by the conditions inside the pit and suffocated to death.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, local law enforcement dispatched a team of police officers to the scene under the reference UBC SD REF: 04/13/02/2025. 

As night fell, the recovery operation was hampered by darkness, prompting authorities to postpone the retrieval until daylight. Officials emphasized the need for caution to avoid further casualties, stressing the inherent dangers of the situation.

The Regional Police Commander for Bukedi North, ACP Mwanga Kitiyo Moses, confirmed on Friday that the bodies of the deceased were retrieved today and taken to Mbale regional referral hospital for postmortem.