In Kampala, fifteen people have tragically lost their lives and over 100 individuals are missing following a devastating landslide caused by heavy rainfall in eastern Uganda. The landslide, which occurred in Bulambuli district, approximately 190 miles east of Kampala, buried numerous homes across several villages.
According to the Uganda Red Cross Society, at least 40 households were completely buried, with others sustaining partial damage. Charles Odongtho, the spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), stated that the death toll currently stands at 15, but there are fears that more bodies are still trapped beneath the debris. Additionally, over 100 people remain unaccounted for in eight villages.
Odongtho described the situation as devastating, noting that all bridges in the area were destroyed and roads submerged under water. Rescue efforts have been hindered by impassable roads, preventing vehicles, including ambulances, from reaching the affected areas.
Uganda has been experiencing unusually heavy rainfall since October, leading to widespread flooding and landslides. Recently, torrential rains caused the River Nile to overflow, flooding a major highway connecting Kampala to the northwest of the country.
The deforestation of mountain slopes in Uganda for agricultural purposes has increased the susceptibility to landslides. The region where the landslide occurred has a history of such disasters, with a similar incident in 2010 claiming the lives of at least 80 people.
