Chris Kiwawulo
23 November 2008
Kampala — JUBILEE Insurance has paid sh103.5m as compensation to the families of the seven ROKO Construction Company employees who perished at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) site on October 14.
Five carpenters William Okello, Richard Ongwen, Odong, Julius Otike and Olowo, and two porters John Bosco Tumushabe and Nasib Kisembo, died at the NSSF site at Plot 15-17 Lumumba Avenue, when an excavation wall curved in.
The families received the payment at ROKO headquarters in Kawempe recently.
Kurt Blaettler, the Roko vice-chairman, asked the bereaved families to accept the compensation in good faith, adding that nothing could compensate the lives of their dear ones.
"We regret the loss of the lives of our brothers. Our motto has always been and will always be safety first," he said, adding that safety was never taken for granted. Blaettler declined to reveal how much each family would get.
He told the beneficiaries payment would depend on seniority of the staff. He said construction work would resume when the company gets a green light from the Government.
Work was halted as investigations by the Government and a team of architects and engineers got underway. The team appointed by works minister, John Nasasira, is expected to submit its report soon.
According to the company secretary, Acall Manzi, the compensation was equivalent to five years' salary as stipulated by the Work Man's Compensation Act.
The relatives could not hold tears back as they collected the payements. Grace Kyompeire, 37, the widow to Silver Olowo, said mere mention of her husband's name evokes sad memories.
"I now need a job because I cannot effectively cater for the children because I work in Bushenyi," the mother of two stated.
Santos Odong's widow, Stella traveled with a one-year-old baby from Amolator district, Northern Uganda together with Odong's brother, Nicholas Ojok.
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