At least 15 people have been confirmed dead, and around 113 remain unaccounted for, following devastating landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in eastern Uganda. The landslides struck late on Wednesday, November 27, affecting several villages particularly in the Bulambuli district, which is roughly five hours from Kampala, Uganda's capital.
The country has experienced excessive rainfall recently, prompting the government to declare a national disaster as flooding and landslides wreaked havoc across multiple regions. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja voiced concerns over the situation, stating, 'We believe all the missing are presumed dead.'
On the ground, rescue efforts are underway as teams from the Uganda Red Cross and police have struggled with impassable roads, hampering their response. Despite many obstacles, rescue teams managed to recover 15 bodies, including several children, according to Irene Nakasiita, spokesperson for the Uganda Red Cross.
The sheer scale of the disaster left entire neighborhoods buried under layers of mud and debris. Reports from local authorities suggest approximately 45 homes have been entirely covered. District Commissioner Faheera Mpalanyi noted the heart-wrenching recovery of six bodies from Masugu village, including the unfortunate discovery of at least one baby among the deceased.
Rescue teams, including close to 500 soldiers dispatched by the Uganda People's Defence Forces, are racing against time to locate survivors trapped under the rubble. A video shared on social media illustrated the desperation of families digging through the debris, accompanied by heavy sobbing and calls for missing loved ones.
Images broadcasted by local media showcase communities grappling with vast tracts of earth displaced by the landslides, conveying both the terror and tragedy enveloping these villages. Onlookers have reported hearing cries for help from beneath the rubble, heightening the urgency for swift action.
While efforts continue, the logistical challenges remain significant; many roads are blocked, preventing ambulances and aid from reaching those affected. Prime Minister Nabbanja reported, 'Only 120 of the 500 soldiers dispatched have reached the impacted areas.' This highlights the difficulties faced by rescue teams during such catastrophic events.
Piling on to the tragedy, heavy rains have caused flooding downstream as well, which led to one of the emergency boats capsizing, resulting in the death of one engineer. "We need to get to those communities trapped behind the mud," Nabbanja said, as she emphasized the pressing need for more resources to facilitate rescue operations.
The incidents reported this week strike as another reminder of Uganda's longstanding vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Back in February 2010, mudslides claimed over 350 lives during similar circumstances near the Mount Elgon region. These events tend to recur, heavily impacting local communities, especially during the rainy seasons.
The aftermath of the landslides has not only taken shelter from families but also left them grappling with the psychological toll of loss—communities now wrestling with grief and uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones. The local government has begun mobilizing support for those displaced, even as rescue efforts resume through the rubble.
This tragic event continues to develop, and authorities are urging people to be vigilant as weather conditions remain unpredictable, with more rainfall expected to exacerbate the already fragile circumstances. Efforts will be closely monitored as communities come together to provide support and recovery for those affected by this heartbreaking disaster.
