Victims of Hima Cement Factory fire outbreak taken to Kampala for further health management

By Joel Kaguta

KASESE: Victims of yesterday’s fire that broke out at the light diesel oil tank in Hima Cement Factory have been rushed to Kampala for further health management.

A statement signed by the Country’s Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Michel Pons, indicated that three workers perished in the inferno and eight sustained injuries and were taken to Case Clinic in Hima Town and Kilembe Mines Hospital in Kasese Town respectively.

The three dead bodies that have not yet been identified were first taken to Kasese Municipal Health Centre III mortuary from where they spent a night and have since been transported to Fort-portal Regional Referral Hospital for DNA tests.

Carol Kezabu, the Hima Cement Factory Public Relations Officer, confirmed the development to the press shortly after the inspection of the plant conducted by the National Building Review Board that visited the factory on Sunday afternoon. According to Kezabu, two out of the eight victims have since been discharged because they sustained minor injuries on their bodies.

Asked by the press on when they will resume their normal operations, Kezabu replied that they temporarily suspended the operations for 48 hours.  She added that on Monday at 12:00noon, the factory management will hold a meeting to discuss on when to officially resume their normal operations.

Our reporter, who followed up the story, was able to see some ambulances being lined up to transport the victims to Kampala and a handful of workers majority being from the security department at the site.

Speaking to the press shortly after the inspection exercise, Engineer Flavia Bwiire, observed need for the factory to implement the occupational safety guidelines that government has set in place.

Asked about her findings, Bwiire the Executive Director for the National Building Review Board said she could not reveal the findings at the moment because they were still some bits of information that the team she led would first compare and come up with a comprehensive report.