At least 30 people are feared dead after devastating landslides struck a village in eastern Uganda, with officials warning that the death toll may rise. The landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall, occurred in Masugu village, located in Bulambuli district, about five hours from Kampala.
District commissioner Faheera Mpalanyi confirmed that six bodies, including that of a baby, had been recovered so far. She said several people remain missing, likely trapped in the debris. Red Cross spokesperson John Cliff Wamala reported that 13 bodies had been recovered, and as many as 40 homes were destroyed.
The heavy rains, which have been affecting Uganda for several days, also led to flooding in the northwest. A major road connecting Uganda to South Sudan became impassable, and one boat capsized during rescue efforts, killing an engineer.
Prime Minister’s office officials issued a disaster alert, urging residents to stay safe as more landslides and flooding are feared. Uganda has a history of deadly landslides, with the Mount Elgon region witnessing a tragic event in 2010 that claimed more than 350 lives.
