At least six people are believed to have died and dozens are missing in today’s landslides and mud slides that have swept across several villages in Buwali and Bukalasi sub-countries in Bududa District.
The landslides have been caused by River Tsume which burst its banks again following the heavy downpour that lasted for about 4 hours a few days ago.
The number of the dead is likely to increase as many people remain trapped under the mud with others unaccounted for.
The most affected villages are Shisakali parish in Buwali Sub-county, where an 8-year-old girl was buried by mud.
According to reports, the number of the affected is far greater than for last year.
The incident according to the Manjiya county MP in Bududa district John Nambeshe happened last night.
He says many people sought refuge in schools and trading centers adding that the search for missing persons is on.
Last year similar landslides in the district left more than 50 people dead with hundreds displaced.
The office of the Prime Minister has however dispatched a team to help the victims.
The Prime Minister’s communication specialist, Julius Mucunguzi says the team from the disaster preparedness and management department will carry out an assessment of the affected people before relief aid is delivered.
He has however re-echoed calls to people leaving on the slopes of Mt Elgon to vacate when rains begin because they are at greater danger and need to relocate.
The office of the prime minister two weeks ago started resettling the first batch of the survivors of the October 11, 2018 landslides in same area to Bulambuli.
In the first phase, 101 houses have been built, out of a planned 900 houses.
