By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
MASAKA
Tragedy hit residents of Binyonyi A Village in Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City on Sunday 2nd November 2025 after a 30-year-old woman and her seven-month-old baby died when they accidentally fell into a concealed septic tank on their rental property.
The deceased were identified as Haula Nassaka and her infant.
Neighbors alleged Nassaka was doing laundry and hanging clothes when she unknowingly stepped on a weak section of the septic tank, which had been loosely covered with soil resulting into her and the baby, who was strapped to her back, to fall in.
Police firefighters, assisted by locals, later retrieved the bodies from the tank. Village chairperson, Florence Nantongo said the landlord had covered the septic tank with soil and planted vegetables on top, making it invisible to tenants.
“The septic tank wasn’t visible. It was covered with soil and even vegetables planted, so she didn’t know she was standing right on top of it,” said Nantongo.
Binyonyi B LC I Chairperson, Hajj Muhammad Ssentongo urged residents and landlords to ensure that septic tanks are properly sealed to prevent similar tragedies.
Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye confirmed the incident, and said that investigations are underway to establish the circumstances under which the tank collapsed.
By the time of filing this story, the bodies had been taken to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examination.
