Eastern Uganda is grappling with a devastating natural disaster as at least 15 people have been confirmed dead and 113 others remain unaccounted for following massive landslides that buried homes across six villages in Bulambuli District. Triggered by heavy rains late Wednesday night, the landslides destroyed at least 40 homes and left dozens injured, according to local authorities.
The Uganda Red Cross Society, which has been leading rescue operations, reported on Thursday that 13 bodies had already been recovered. Efforts to locate the missing are ongoing, but officials warn that the death toll could rise significantly, potentially reaching 30 as rescue operations continue to face severe challenges.
A Community Devastated
The tragedy unfolded in Bulambuli District, a mountainous region approximately 280 kilometers (173 miles) east of Kampala. Landslides are a common occurrence in this part of Uganda, which is prone to soil erosion and flooding during the rainy season. Local media reports estimate that the affected area spans around 50 acres (20 hectares), encompassing homes and farmlands on the slopes.
In the immediate aftermath, 15 injured individuals were rescued and taken to Buluganya Health Center for medical attention. However, survivors face further risks as heavy rains persist, complicating rescue efforts and threatening additional landslides.
Photographs and videos shared on social media show distraught villagers frantically digging through thick mud with bare hands and rudimentary tools in search of loved ones. Many homes have been completely submerged under mudslides, with only rooftops visible in some cases.
A Race Against Time
Local officials have promised additional resources, including an excavator, to assist with the rescue mission. However, ongoing rainfall and roads blocked by mudslides are hampering efforts to bring in heavy machinery.
“Affected roads remain impassable due to the mud and continuous rain,” a journalist in the area told The Associated Press. The delayed deployment of machinery and resources has sparked concern over the survival chances of those still trapped beneath the debris.
Children Among the Victims
Reports from The Daily Monitor reveal that most of the bodies recovered thus far are children, highlighting the vulnerability of young lives in such disasters. The tragedy has deeply shaken the communities involved, many of whom rely on subsistence farming and have now lost not only their homes but also their livelihoods.
Disaster Warnings and a Pattern of Neglect
This latest tragedy comes amid broader warnings of extreme weather and infrastructure challenges across Uganda. On Wednesday, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a disaster alert, cautioning that heavy rains had caused flooding and road closures nationwide.
The situation on Uganda’s waterways also remains dire. Two rescue boats capsized on the River Nile during a separate rescue mission on Wednesday after the Pakwach Bridge was submerged by rising waters.
Bulambuli District, situated in Uganda’s Eastern Region, has long been vulnerable to landslides and flooding due to its hilly terrain and deforestation practices that weaken the soil. Despite repeated warnings and past disasters, efforts to resettle at-risk communities and strengthen disaster response mechanisms have been inconsistent.
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