Uganda Faces Devastation as Landslide Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rainfall

As heavy rains persist in eastern Uganda, a devastating landslide has killed at least 13 people, with concerns the toll could rise as rescue operations continue. Local authorities are coordinating disaster responses amid the destruction of homes and infrastructure.

A deadly landslide in eastern Uganda, resulting from torrential rains, has led to the confirmed deaths of at least 13 individuals. However, officials warn that the actual toll may be higher, with reports indicating that approximately 40 houses have been swept away in the disaster. This tragic event has predominantly affected villages in the Bulambuli district, located 280 kilometers (178 miles) from the capital, Kampala.

The Uganda Red Cross Society is actively participating in rescue operations amidst the chaos, with interim reports suggesting that the majority of the deceased are children. The ongoing search efforts are hampered by the continuous heavy rainfall, which has plagued the nation over recent days. Reports from various agencies, including the AFP, indicate a troubling possibility that the death toll could rise to 30.

In response to the crisis, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a disaster warning on social media platform X, while riverbanks have overflowed, causing significant flooding that has devastated schools, places of worship, and critical infrastructure such as bridges. As communities remain isolated, military personnel have been deployed to provide assistance in search and recovery operations.

The situation continues to develop as efforts to locate unaccounted individuals persist in what has been described as one of the most challenging periods for many Ugandan communities grappling with the impacts of severe weather. The unfolding disaster underscores the increasing challenges of climate-related crises that many regions in East Africa are facing.