Kampala, UG: Tembo Steels Limited, a well-known industrial establishment in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe district, is facing intense scrutiny due to reports of negligence and tragic events.
The factory, which initially brought hope for job opportunities in the community, has been tarnished by a series of unfortunate incidents, highlighting its employees’ harsh working conditions and lack of safety precautions.
Recent findings have revealed a troubling pattern of untimely and tragic deaths among workers, especially those working in the furnace department, electricians, and operators of heavy machinery.
Despite its commitment to providing employment, the factory has failed to prioritize the safety and welfare of its employees.
One such heartbreaking incident involved Godfrey Mwambu, who suffered severe burns while operating metallurgical production equipment.
Despite being exposed to temperatures exceeding 400 degrees Celsius, Mwambu was devoid of essential protective gear. Furthermore, the factory’s negligence extended to denying him access to medical attention, leaving him dependent on the mercy of the community for treatment.
“They will never come to your rescue, it has been the trend, you get injured and the factory will never pay attention. So many of my colleagues sustained injuries, were neglected, and eventually passed on. I remember Okuyu, we buried him in Arua and others,” Mwambu painfully narrates to our inspectors.
Mwambu’s ordeal is not an isolated case. Joseph Kizza, another worker at the factory, lost an eye in 2021 due to the lack of protective gear.
Despite efforts by medical professionals to save his eye, delayed treatment and inadequate compensation from the factory exacerbated his suffering.
“I was hit by a metal, I don’t recall seeing it coming, and there was still a chance for recovery. Unfortunately, the management ignored me. By the time my family took me to the hospital, doctors recommended surgery focused on removing my eye. Regardless, the factory declined to compensate me for the loss.” Kizza sheds tears as he breaks the story to inspectors.
The stories of Isa Ssebaggala and Julius Nsubuga further underscore the factory’s disregard for the safety and well-being of its employees.
Ssebaggala suffered a life-threatening head injury in February 2021, while Nsubuga lost his hands in a workplace accident in October 2019. Both individuals endured months of hospitalization without proper compensation or support from the factory management.
These harrowing accounts have prompted widespread condemnation and calls for immediate action to address the systemic issues plaguing Tembo Steels Limited.
The factory’s dire working conditions, including the absence of basic protective gear such as gloves, ear covers, and boots, and the lack of headgear for workers exposed to high heat and noise levels, have raised serious concerns.
The Buikwe LC5 Chairperson, Jimmy Kanaabi, acknowledged receiving numerous complaints from workers but has been repeatedly denied access to the factory for independent assessment.
Kanaabi highlighted the pervasive risks workers face, stating, “This hazardous situation poses a significant risk to their safety, as their bodies are vulnerable to damage.”
Our efforts to engage with Tembo Steels’ management for clarification have been met with silence as various reports suggest that the factory is shielded by powerful individuals with significant influence within the state, making it challenging to hold the management accountable.
The allegations against Tembo Steels paint a disturbing picture of a system prioritizing financial gain over the welfare and safety of its workers.
As investigations into the factory’s practices continue, there is mounting pressure on Tembo Steels Limited to rectify its shortcomings and uphold its responsibility to ensure the well-being of its workforce. Failure to do so risks further harm to employees and irreparable damage to the factory’s reputation.
This is a developing story, we shall unearth more rot as it comes