In brief
At least 13 fatalities have been confirmed in a severe landslide caused by heavy rains in Bulambuli district, eastern Uganda, with fears that the death toll could rise. Emergency services are working tirelessly to recover survivors and provide assistance to affected communities.
Houses swept away in Uganda landslide after heavy rainfallThe Uganda Red Cross Society reports a devastating landslide that has resulted in at least 13 confirmed deaths in eastern Uganda. Rescue teams fear that the number may be significantly higher, as approximately 40 homes have been destroyed. This natural disaster ensued due to intense rains that impacted several villages within the Bulambuli district, located around 280 kilometers (178 miles) from the capital, Kampala.According to local news outlets, including the Daily Monitor, many of the victims recovered so far are children. There has been a surge of rainfall across the region over recent days, intensifying the crisis. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja issued a disaster warning via social media, expressing concerns over missing individuals who are presumed buried under the debris. He emphasized that "people are suspected to be missing and some feared buried by slides."Flooding has severely affected the region, causing rivers to overflow and inundate schools, churches, and transport infrastructures, leading to the isolation of various communities. The military has mobilized to support search and rescue operations. On social media, the defense forces shared that two boats were dispatched to salvage a taxi stranded on a bridge; unfortunately, one boat capsized and resulted in the loss of an engineer's life.In a show of solidarity, Parliament Speaker Anitah Among extended condolences to the families of the deceased during a session, acknowledging the widespread havoc triggered by the floods throughout the nation.
