News EditorAt least 15 people have been confirmed dead and 113 others remain missing following devastating landslides that buried homes in six villages in eastern Uganda, according to local police.
The Uganda Red Cross Society reported on Thursday that rescue teams had recovered 13 bodies so far, while 15 individuals have been rescued and treated at Buluganya Health Center for injuries. Authorities fear the death toll may rise, with local media speculating it could reach 30.
The landslides occurred after heavy rainfall on Wednesday night in Bulambuli, a mountainous district located about 280 kilometers east of the capital, Kampala. The area, known for frequent landslides, saw 40 homes engulfed by the mudslides. Rescue efforts continue as local officials work to recover those trapped beneath the debris.
A local journalist reported that an excavator was being brought in to assist with the search, but access to the affected area remains difficult due to mud-covered roads and ongoing rainfall.
The affected region spans approximately 50 acres, with homes and farmlands situated on a steep downhill slope. Social media has been flooded with images and videos showing residents digging through the mud to locate survivors, with some homes entirely buried and only roofs visible.
The majority of the bodies recovered so far are believed to be those of children, as reported by the Daily Monitor newspaper.
In a related disaster, the prime minister’s office issued a national alert on Wednesday, noting that heavy rains have also disrupted major roads across the country. Additionally, two rescue boats capsized during a mission on the River Nile, where the Pakwach bridge was submerged.
