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A devastating landslide in eastern Uganda has left at least 113 people missing and claimed the lives of 15, police have confirmed.
Triggered by heavy rainfall, the landslide swept through multiple villages in Bulambuli district, about 280 km (178 miles) from the capital, Kampala. At least 40 houses were destroyed, according to the Ugandan Red Cross Society.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to find survivors. Fifteen injured people have been rescued and admitted to hospitals, while six of the recovered bodies have been identified as children.
The region has been grappling with days of relentless rainfall, which has caused rivers to burst their banks, flooding schools, churches, and homes. Bridges have been destroyed, and communities are now cut off from essential services.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja issued a disaster warning, stating that people were feared to be buried under the mudslides. The military has been deployed to assist with search and rescue operations.
However, efforts have been fraught with danger. During a rescue mission near Pakwach, a boat capsized, leading to the death of an engineer.
In parliament on Thursday, Speaker Anitah Among expressed her condolences to the victims’ families, acknowledging the widespread devastation caused by the floods and landslides.
This disaster adds to a tragic history for the region. In 2010, a landslide in nearby Bududa killed around 300 people, marking one of Uganda’s worst natural disasters. Despite the risks, many residents are reluctant to relocate due to the fertile land and deep ancestral ties to the area.
So far this year, heavy rains, flooding, and landslides have displaced thousands of people across Uganda, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reports.
Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing as the nation braces for more rainfall.
