In Sebei, landslides cut off Kapchorwa-Suam road

________________

The Ministry of Works and Transport has said the latest landslides in Uganda's eastern sub-region of Sebei have cut off the Kapchorwa-Suam Road, making transport to and from the area unsafe.

This follows heavy rains in the area.

"Additional landslides have been reported this morning along Km 43 [Kowobelyo village, Bukwo district] from Kapchorwa, making travel along this section unsafe at the moment," the ministry said in a statement on Friday (October 31).

The ministry's senior communications officer, Allan Ssempebwa, said travellers from Suam will now be forced to travel through Kitale-Bungoma and then re-enter Uganda through either Malaba or Busia border points.

It is understood that technical teams are on the ground assessing the extent of the damage and coordinating efforts to undertake emergency clearance and the needed stabilisation works.

Motorists and the general public have been "strongly advised" to avoid crossing the affected sections, exercise maximum caution and follow safety measures on site, as well as consider alternative routes where possible until the situation normalises.

The ministry noted that they appreciate the cooperation of the public as efforts continue to restore safe passage.

On Thursday, nine people were confirmed dead in separate landslides that struck Kween and Bukwo districts following a night of heavy rainfall across the Sebei.

The same day, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) confirmed six people were killed in Kween, while three children died in Bukwo following mudslides triggered by a downpour.

URCS spokesperson Irene Nakasiita said the incident occurred on Wednesday night.

“Due to the ongoing heavy rains, a mudslide occurred in Chesower, Bukwo district, resulting in three confirmed deaths (children) from one family. Uganda Red Cross volunteers are on the ground conducting assessments, and a more detailed report will be shared as soon as possible,” she said.

The worst-hit area was Tuikat sub-ounty in Kween, where six members of a single family perished after their home was buried by mud and debris in the early hours of Thursday. Several others sustained serious injuries as heavy rains pounded the hilly terrain throughout the night.

Hope Atuhairwe, the resident district commissioner (RDC) of Kween, said the rain began around 8pm on Wednesday and continued until morning, causing widespread destruction in Cheptus Nyatui parish, where six people have been confirmed dead and three others seriously injured.

“A lot of gardens have been swept away, and we have sent a district team on the ground with a drone to take pictures and videos that we shall use to make an assessment of what has actually been destroyed,” said Atuhairwe.

She said other sub-counties, including Kwosir and Moyok, remained unstable as the land continued to shift downhill.

“When it rains heavily in the upper belt, the lower belt suffers from floods. As we speak, Sudet, Kiriki sub-counties, and Chepskunya Town Council are flooded. Several homes have been submerged and property destroyed."

Atuhairwe confirmed that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has been informed and is expected to dispatch a team to carry out its own assessment and coordinate emergency support to affected families.

Geoffrey Chelogoi, the Kween district chairperson, said among the six confirmed dead were four members of the same family (father, mother and their two children) along with two neighbours.

He expressed deep concern over the recurring nature of disasters in the district.

“This is not the first incident. In 2021, we lost another family to a similar landslide. This area is fragile and continues to claim lives and property,” said Chelogoi.

He added that the OPM had previously earmarked the area for resettlement due to its high-risk terrain, but unfortunately, tragedy struck before the plan could be implemented.

“Communities are terrified, and we are already seeing signs of another landslide."
Moses Makwata, the Kween district natural resource officer, said about 225 people have been affected by the disaster.

He said that for the last three years, Kween has faced repeated natural disasters, especially in the upper belt of the Greater Benet area where the current incident occurred.

He attributed the recurring landslides to intensive farming and settlement along fragile slopes, which have destabilised the landscape.

“Continuous cultivation on steep terrain without proper land management practices has worsened the problem. These areas are ecologically sensitive and prone to slides whenever heavy rains occur,” he said.

Fredmark Chesang, the Sipi Region Police spokesperson, said the police and residents managed to retrieve the bodies of the three dead children in Bukwo, which were later taken to Bukwo Hospital mortuary.

He said the Kapchorwa–Suam Road, a key route linking Uganda and Kenya, was temporarily blocked after the SIT bridge was covered by mud and debris washed down by floodwaters.

Local authorities and residents across the Sebei sub-region are calling for urgent government intervention as heavy rains continue to batter the mountainous districts. Relief agencies have been urged to provide emergency supplies, including food, temporary shelter, and medical aid for displaced families.

“People have lost everything: homes, gardens, and livestock. Without immediate support, the situation could worsen,” said David Mande Kapcheronge, the LC5 councillor for Tuikat sub-county, who joined local residents in recovery efforts.

Sebei, located on the slopes of Mount Elgon, is among Uganda's most landslide-prone areas.

The districts of Bulambuli, Bududa, Manafwa and Sironko are also vulnerable. Other areas include Kigezi region, which includes the districts of Kisoro, Kabale, Rukiga and Rubanda.