24 feared dead in fresh landslides in Bukwo and Kapchorwa
In Kwanwa village, Kapteka parish, Chesower sub-county in Bukwo district, as many as 20 people are feared dead after a landslide swept down from Mt Elgon Forest, burying six homesteads.
Locals gather to view at the two dead bodies in Kwanwa village in chesower sub-county who where killed in the landslides that occured today morning after the heavy rains that pounded the region. (Photo by Leonard Mukooli)
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At least 24 people are feared dead following two separate landslides that struck Bukwo and Kapchorwa districts after a night of heavy rainfall on Friday (October 31).
In Kwanwa village, Kapteka parish, Chesower sub-county in Bukwo district, as many as 20 people are feared dead after a landslide swept down from Mt Elgon Forest, burying six homesteads.
Village vice-chairperson Ben Musopo said two bodies have so far been recovered, while two people were rescued alive.
“Six households were completely buried by the landslide. We are still searching for more people believed to be trapped under the debris,” said Musopo.
He said several acres of crops, livestock, and food stored in granaries were destroyed, leaving the affected families with nothing to survive on.
John Cliff Wamala, the senior communications officer of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), said their teams were working closely with the local community to recover more bodies and provide relief to the survivors.
“The rescue operation is ongoing, and we are coordinating with local authorities to ensure that the affected families receive immediate assistance,” he said.
Meanwhile, William Chemonges, the MP of Kween County, said President Yoweri Museveni has pledged five million shillings to each bereaved family that lost a relative in the Bukwo tragedy.
The Sebei sub-region has experienced continuous downpours since Thursday, resulting in multiple landslides, particularly on the upper slopes of Mt Elgon, where the soil has become waterlogged.
The lower belts in Bulambuli and Kween districts are also battling floods and destruction of property.
In a related incident in Kapchorwa district, four people were confirmed dead after a landslide hit Kapswama Village, West Division, Kapchorwa Municipality. The bodies have since been recovered and taken to the Kapchorwa Hospital mortuary.
Wamala of URCS urged communities to take environmental protection seriously to prevent further tragedies.
“We must all take shared responsibility in protecting and conserving the environment to avoid such calamities."