Flash floods ravage Mbale city, renowned teacher among victims

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Sunday, August 17, 2025, night flash floods that pummelled Mbale city have turned catastrophic, according to information reaching New Vision Online.

The floods triggered by relentless rains cascading from the slopes of Mount Elgon, transforming calm streets into deadly torrents, have claimed at least two lives. The confirmation of the dead was at daybreak on Monday, August 18, with Shadrack Wabule, a reknown teacher among the victims. The second victim remained unidentified at the time of reporting.

Nature’s wrath unleashed

According to the victims who spoke to New Vision Online, the flash floods struck with surgical precision, racing through the city’s terrain with harrowing speed between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.

The floodwaters, swollen by the deluge, snaked through residential and industrial wards, engulfing homes, uprooting public structures, and sweeping communities into pandemonium.

Mbale city mayor Cassim Namugali lamented the disaster as a “deadly mayhem with a huge trail of loss.”

Dorothy Mutenyo recovered her baby's chair and a dead hen she had only bought days ago. (Photo by Javier Silas Omagor)

Authorities are now urgently launching a comprehensive damage assessment and search-and-rescue operation across the devastated parts of the city.

The Call-To-Prayer Ministries Church wall that was destroyed by the violent flash floods. (Photo by Javier Silas Omagor)

Devastation and destruction in every corner

Entire neighbourhoods were ravaged overnight. Perimeter fences, once symbols of stability, were obliterated.

Churches and schools were not spared either, with structures belonging to Call-To-Prayer Worship Centre, Harred Church International, ABC Church Ministries affected.

Bishop Andrew Mutengu's Word of Faith church in the Half-London residential area, Namatala Ward, was partially demolished.

The others affected were Mbale Parents Secondary School, Wanale View High School and Nyama-Choma Lounge, their debris was dragged into the turbulent currents of River Nabuyonga.

Pr Isaac Mafabi, a junior minister at Call-To-Prayer, recounted the horror vividly. “I saw children run into the church crying out for help, but before I could step out and return, the building was full of very fast-running water.”

The stunned man of God continued, voice heavy with emotion: “We tried to rescue members in a hurry, but some were swept away by the water, though we managed to rescue some by God's grace.”

These painful scenes echo a previous tragedy when Nabuyonga River’s floods claimed multiple lives, leaving the same communities shaken by memories of past destruction.

Mafabi, who endured both disasters, reflected: “This one was the most powerful one since it had lightning speed and was extremely violent.”

Survivors speak of divine grace

Dorothy Mutenyo, a survivor, described the desperation and futility of her family’s efforts: “We tried to climb and cling to the roof of the house, but it filled up to capacity in a nutshell.”

Standing by the notorious River Nabuyonga, Mutenyo's words ended with a sigh of relief and humility. “It is by the grace of God that we are alive.”

Search and rescue: a race against time

Community volunteer rescue and search teams were seen combing the waters and debris-laden riverbanks of River Nabuyonga.

With caution, they were struggling to locate likely survivors, recover victims and salvage what little property remained.

The urgency of their mission felt tangible: Every ripple held the weight of lives possibly in peril.

A disturbing reminder

Mbale City’s struggle with flash flooding, especially from rivers like Nabuyonga, is not new.

A devastating episode in 2022 saw as many as 29 bodies recovered, with wrecked homes, schools, livestock farms, and places of worship left in ruins.

Yet, this latest onslaught proved even more unforgiving, a chilling demonstration of how quickly bountiful rain can become an engulfing catastrophe.