At least 113 people remain unaccounted for, and 15 have been confirmed dead following devastating landslides in eastern Uganda, according to local police.
The disaster, triggered by days of torrential rain, struck several villages in Bulambuli district, located about 280 kilometers (178 miles) from Kampala.
The Ugandan Red Cross Society reported on X (formerly Twitter) that at least 40 homes were destroyed.
Among the recovered bodies, six were children, and 15 injured individuals were rescued and hospitalized. “People are feared buried under the slides,” the Red Cross stated.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja issued a disaster warning on X, highlighting the urgent situation.
Rivers have overflowed, submerging schools and churches, destroying critical infrastructure, and isolating communities.
Military teams have joined the rescue efforts. On Wednesday, the defense forces deployed boats to aid a taxi stranded on a flooded bridge in Pakwach.
Tragically, one boat capsized, claiming the life of an engineer involved in the operation.
In Parliament, Speaker Anitah Among extended condolences to the victims’ families, describing the situation as “heartbreaking.”
Eastern Uganda, prone to such disasters, has seen recurring landslides over the years.
The 2010 Bududa landslide, which killed approximately 300 people, remains one of the nation’s worst natural disasters.
The region’s fertile land, ideal for farming, keeps residents tied to their ancestral homes despite the risks.
However, this year’s relentless rains have displaced thousands, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Efforts to rescue survivors and recover bodies continue as authorities assess the full scale of the tragedy.
Source-BBC
