Earthquake jolts Teso, residents describe moments of confusion

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Residents across Teso were left alarmed and confused on Sunday night (May 31) after an earthquake shook the sub-region, causing widespread uncertainty as people rushed to confirm whether others had experienced the same tremors and unusual sounds.

The shaking, which struck at 9:19 pm on May 31, 2026, triggered panic in several households as residents reached out to family, friends and neighbours for clarity.

International monitoring systems placed the epicentre of the quake in Nakasongola district. Monitoring agencies, including the United States Geological Survey, estimated the earthquake at a magnitude of 4.5, while GeoTech recorded it at 4.49.

Since 1900, areas such as Soroti have experienced sporadic light to moderate earthquakes, often reaching magnitudes of around 4.5. Fortunately, these tremors rarely cause significant damage to infrastructure.

On Monday, conversations across Teso centred on the earthquake, with residents sharing accounts of their experiences from different locations.  

Beautrice Amulen, a resident of Serere district, said she was asleep when she heard a sound resembling a heavy vehicle passing near her window. The noise, accompanied by the rattling of iron sheets and the shaking of the entire house, woke her abruptly, leaving her confused and startled. She noted that the tremor lasted about 40 seconds before it subsided.

Norah Atim from Soroti City West reported hearing unfamiliar noises outside, which she initially assumed were from a passing vehicle.

Goretti Akia, another resident of Soroti city, said she felt her bed shaking immediately after lying down, leaving her completely confused.

Elizabeth Grace Akiror from Soroti City East said that while she was watching the news at around 9:20 pm, she noticed her window vibrating, followed by her chair shaking, although many neighbours assumed it was a trailer passing due to their proximity to the road.

“This was so unique to me because it’s my first time realising this since I was born years ago,” she remarked.

Another caller from Obalanga subcounty in Kapelebyong district confirmed that they also felt the earthquake, although it was not severe.

Hellen Kyobutungi, also from Soroti city, said this was her first experience of an earthquake since childhood.

In Uganda, earthquakes are mainly attributed to tectonic activity within the East African Rift System (EARS), a vast geological fault line that divides the African continent into two tectonic plates.

According to the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, earthquakes in eastern Uganda are generally less severe and less frequent than those in the western region. While the Western Rift Valley is highly active, the eastern region typically experiences only minor tremors and localised seismic activity.

Earthquake monitoring in Uganda began in 1918 with a single analogue, long-period, single-component station operated by the then Geological Survey Department at Entebbe.