Landslide in Eastern Uganda Leaves 17 Dead, Over...

Landslide in Eastern Uganda Leaves 17 Dead, Over 100 Missing

Zim Now Writer

A devastating landslide in eastern Uganda has claimed the lives of 15 people and left more than 100 others missing after heavy rains triggered the disaster. The landslide struck Bulambuli district, located approximately 300 km (190 miles) east of the capital, Kampala, burying dozens of homes across several villages.

The Uganda Red Cross Society confirmed that at least 40 households were completely buried, with additional homes suffering partial damage. The Prime Minister's Office and police have stated that rescue efforts are ongoing, but the death toll could rise as many bodies remain trapped under the rubble.

“We have 15 confirmed dead, and fears are growing that many more bodies may still be buried,” said Charles Odongtho, spokesman for the OPM, which coordinates disaster response in the country. At least 113 people are reported missing across eight villages.

The landslide, which occurred on Wednesday, has left the affected area isolated, with roads and bridges washed away by the heavy rains, making rescue operations difficult. Police reported that impassable roads are preventing the movement of emergency vehicles, including ambulances.

The landslide is part of a wider pattern of extreme weather in Uganda, which has been experiencing unusually heavy rainfall since October. The rains have caused widespread flooding and triggered landslides, further exacerbating the challenges for local communities.

In a related incident earlier this week, torrential rains caused the River Nile to burst its banks, flooding a highway connecting Kampala to the northwest of the country.

The mountainous region where the landslide occurred has experienced similar disasters in the past. Deforestation for agriculture and the lack of adequate vegetation cover on the slopes have increased the vulnerability of the area to landslides. A major avalanche in 2010 killed at least 80 people in the same region.

Rescue teams, including the Uganda Red Cross and local authorities, are working around the clock to locate survivors and provide relief to the affected communities. The full scale of the devastation is still unfolding as efforts continue.