WAKISO, UGANDA — Wakiso District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima called on the Uganda Police Force to provide clear figures of people killed, injured and rescued following the collapse of a four-storey building under construction at Holy City Church in Bwerenga, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District.
Naluyima made the appeal while addressing Parliament after the incident, which occurred on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Holy City Church, operated by Brother Ronnie Makabai’s Ministries. The collapsed structure was an extension of the main church building that had reached the fourth floor before giving way.
The legislator expressed concern about the people who had been working at the construction site when the building collapsed. She said approximately 100 workers were believed to have been at the site and called for an accurate account of those who had been rescued, injured or killed.
Naluyima urged police to establish the actual number of people who had been accounted for and communicate the findings to the public. She stressed that clear information was necessary to help families establish the whereabouts and condition of their relatives who might have been caught in the disaster.
The collapse triggered a search-and-rescue operation involving police, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and other emergency responders. Rescue teams worked through the debris to locate survivors and determine whether additional workers remained trapped beneath the rubble.
By October 27, reports indicated that one worker, identified as Francis Lukwago, had died, while 25 others had been rescued. The survivors were taken to health facilities for treatment as authorities continued efforts to account for everyone who had been at the construction site.
Beyond seeking clarity on the casualty figures, Naluyima appealed to the Office of the Prime Minister to consider providing assistance to families affected by the tragedy. She said support was needed for injured survivors as well as families whose relatives had lost their lives.
The MP noted that the disaster had left affected families facing uncertainty and emotional distress as they waited for information about their loved ones. She called for coordinated assistance to help survivors access medical care and support bereaved families with burial arrangements.
The cause of the building collapse had not been officially established at the time of reporting. Investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether the construction complied with the relevant building regulations and safety requirements.
The incident also raised questions about construction safety and the supervision of multi-storey buildings in Uganda. Authorities were expected to examine the structural integrity of the collapsed extension and establish whether any breaches of building standards contributed to the disaster.
Naluyima concluded her appeal by urging the relevant authorities to provide timely and accurate information about the victims and ensure that affected families received the necessary support. Her call focused on accountability, transparency and assistance to those affected by the collapse at Holy City Church.
