Namisindwa raises landslide alarm, huge cracks reported in 500 villages

NAMISINDWA - Close to 500 villages are at risk as huge cracks hit five sub-counties in Namisindwa District living hundreds in fear over looming landslide. 

Houses and crops have been destroyed by deep, gaping land slide cracks in homes and gardens living hundreds of residents exposed to looming landslide and famine. 

The cracks, which became more pronounced after Wednesday’s heavy rains, have already caused extensive damage.

Local leaders report receiving reports from more than 500 villages across the sub-counties of Buwabwala, Bumumali, Tsekululu, Mukoto, and Luwa Town Council in Namisindwa District. 

Numerous houses have developed large cracks, while countless acres of crops have been buried or washed away by landslides and flooding.

The situation was confirmed by Namisindwa District Chairperson, Emma Bwayo, following a field assessment conducted on Wednesday afternoon.

Bwayo, in the company of local leaders, visited several affected villages across the sub-counties to assess the extent of the damage.

Bwayo emphasised the need for an urgent Government response to save lives and provide a permanent solution for communities living in landslide-prone areas.

“It is time for government to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. We should not wait for people to lose their lives before taking action,” Bwayo said.

He added that a comprehensive report is being prepared for submission to Kampala in the Office of the Prime Minister to seek immediate intervention and support.

Betty Nandutu, the district councillor representing Tsekululu and Bungati, commended the LC V Chairperson for his swift response. 

She revealed that many residents have reported that several homes and gardens have since flooded with water seeping through cracks.

“If Government does not intervene quickly, hunger will become another disaster facing our people,” Nandutu warned.

Nandutu, who also serves as the District Executive Secretary for Social Services, explained that the destruction of crops will significantly affect the recovery of beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model (PDM), as many households had invested heavily in farming.

Affected residents, including Khaukha Cassim, Makati Patrick, and Elvis Wamono, thanked the district leadership for visiting the affected areas. 

They expressed concern that they have nowhere else to relocate and are currently living in houses with widening cracks.

“We are sleeping in houses that could collapse at any time. Every day we fear for our lives, but we have nowhere else to go,” one resident said, appealing to the central government for urgent assistance.

Local leaders are now calling for immediate evacuation plans, emergency relief support, and long-term mitigation measures to protect communities from future landslide disasters.