A landslide in Bulambuli district, eastern Uganda, has claimed the lives of at least 15 people, with more than 100 still missing. The disaster, caused by heavy rains, struck on Wednesday, burying dozens of homes across multiple villages.
The Uganda Red Cross Society reported that at least 40 households were completely buried, and others were partially damaged. Charles Odongtho, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, said, “We have 15 dead, and fears are that there are many more bodies still buried.”
Rescue efforts have been hampered by flooded roads and the destruction of bridges, making it difficult for emergency services to reach affected areas. Police confirmed that 113 people are missing across eight villages, and impassable roads have delayed rescue operations.
The landslide comes amid unusually heavy rainfall in Uganda since October, which has led to widespread flooding and landslides. The River Nile also burst its banks earlier this week, flooding a highway connecting Kampala to the northwest.
The mountainous region, where the landslide occurred, has a history of similar disasters, including a deadly avalanche in 2010 that killed at least 80 people.
