In Nansana municipality, Uganda, a billboard collapsed during a heavy rainstorm, leading to the unfortunate death of a 17-year-old girl named Mary Najjemba. She was near the Lubigi police post when the incident occurred.
Reports indicate that Mary Najjemba was inside a parked taxi near one of the fallen billboards when the tragedy happened. Another person in the car suffered injuries. Additionally, the heavy rain caused the roof of a building in Nansana municipality to blow off. Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Police Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan, provided more details about the incident.
“Najjemba was selling clothes and lived in Wamala. She was seeking shelter in a taxi with registration number UAW 261N when the billboard collapsed due to the heavy rain. The billboard fell on the parked car in the Lubigi police post compound, resulting in her tragic death,” Owoyesigire explained.
The police are actively trying to locate the owners of these collapsed billboards. Owoyesigyire stated, “We are currently working to identify the owners of these billboards. In municipalities like Nansana, it’s typically the responsibility of the municipality, and in Kampala, it falls under KCCA (Kampala Capital City Authority). We want to determine whether these billboards were inspected regularly. However, we have not yet made contact with any of the owners.”
Three other billboards also fell during the storm, causing traffic disruptions near the Stabex petrol station on Hoima Road. The fire brigade arrived to clear the road after the heavy rains. Police authorities have issued a warning to the public, urging them to avoid seeking shelter under trees and billboards during rainfall.
Mary Najjemba’s body is currently at the Mulago City mortuary, awaiting contact from her family members.