Deadly Landslides in Eastern Uganda as Heavy Rains Claim Over 10 Lives
Heavy rains have caused devastating landslides in eastern Uganda, resulting in the deaths of more than 10 people, with many more feared dead.
The Uganda Red Cross Society reported that at least 13 bodies were recovered after landslides “completely buried” 40 homes in six villages in the mountainous district of Bulambuli.
The disaster struck the previous night, and rescue efforts are ongoing. However, officials warned that the death toll is likely to rise as search teams continue to comb through the rubble.
Local media reports show massive landslides that have buried large areas of land in the village of Masugu, located about five hours from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Images and videos shared on social media depict rescue workers digging through the debris in search of survivors, especially in the village of Kimono. The Uganda Red Cross Society confirmed that rescue efforts are underway, but they remain concerned about the possibility of more casualties.
District Commissioner Faheera Mpalanyi stated that the confirmed death toll could be as high as 30, with six bodies already recovered, including that of a baby. Given the scale of the disaster, she mentioned that many people remain unaccounted for, likely trapped under the landslide debris. The authorities are struggling to reach all affected areas, as the scale of the damage is immense and more people are still missing.
The heavy rains that caused the landslides have also led to widespread flooding in northern Uganda. A tributary of the Nile River burst its banks, causing further destruction. The government issued a disaster alert as many of the country’s main roads were cut off by flooding. Emergency teams were deployed to rescue stranded motorists, but one rescue boat capsized near the town of Pakwach, resulting in the death of one engineer.
