KAPCHORWA-(MaraviPost)-At least 10 people including children have died following heavy rain triggered by flooding and landslides in Uganda’s Eastern regions of Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions.
Uganda’s Red Cross spokesperson Irene Nakasiita confirmed the news of the tragedy in a statement.
According to Nakasiita, among the victims were seven people from Mbale villages, including Namabasa and Bugwere Cell, as well as three people from Bungoko Sub-county.
The incident happened after heavy rains that lasted 11 hours that caused Nabuyonga and Namatala rivers to burst into their banks, causing flooding in nearby villages, Monitor reported.
The minister of state for relief, disaster preparedness, and refugees, Esther Anyakun Davinia, has disclosed that search operation is underway to find 12 other missing people in the affected areas.
Davinia has also requested people to leave all the potential waterways in hills, valleys, and landslide-prone areas.
Teams from the Red Cross are working with the community and district disaster management committees of the affected areas to support the victims.
The Red Cross also revealed that rescue efforts in some of the areas are futile since the roads are impassable and so far, 1,152 households had been affected in the two districts.
Thousands of the displaced victims are now camping in school buildings and other state buildings.
In June 2019, a landslide occurred in Buwali Sub-county, leaving five people dead and more than 400 displaced in Bududa.
In October 2018, 42 people were reportedly killed and more than 500 people displaced in Suume Village in Bukalasi Sub-county in Bududa.
In August 2017, landslides also hit Bufupa Parish in Sironko District, killing seven people and displacing hundreds.
In June 2012, another landslide occurred in Namaga and Bunakasala villages in Bumwalukani Sub-county in Bududa, leaving about 450 people dead.
