By Tolit Ivan
A25 year old man’s dream of becoming a professional football referee has been cut short after he lost his leg in a tragic mowing machine accident.
Nelson Mandela Opoka, a resident of Pece-Lukung Cell in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, had been passionately pursuing a career in football refereeing.
However, his ambitions were shattered on Saturday, March 28, 2026, when he lost his right leg while operating a mowing machine at his home in Gulu City.
The mowing machine accidentally sliced through his leg, causing a life changing injuries that required urgent medical attention.
Kevin Aweko, the General Secretary Gulu City Referees Association, said the incident occurred while Opoka was carrying out a side job.
According to Aweko, Opoka was quickly rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu City, where he is currently receiving treatment.
At the time of the incident, Opoka was among the referees officiating the ongoing Gulu City Uganda Secondary School Sports Association Ball Games.
Such incident has become very common in Uganda.
In May 2025, a 36-year-old mowing machine operator died after being injured by his own machine blade while slashing the compound of Pajimo Army Primary School in Akwang Sub-county, Kitgum District.
So far, more than 10 people have been killed by mowing machine blades in the Acholi sub-region over the past three years.
