At Least 13 Dead After Landslides in Eastern Uganda

At least 13 people have been confirmed dead following deadly landslides in eastern Uganda, which buried 40 homes across six villages. The Uganda Red Cross Society reported Thursday that 13 bodies have been recovered, and rescue operations are still ongoing. Local media sources indicate that the death toll could rise to 30 as more bodies are likely to be found.

The landslides, triggered by heavy rains on Wednesday night, occurred in the mountainous district of Bulambuli, an area prone to such disasters. Authorities are bringing in an excavator to assist in the rescue efforts, but local journalists report that the roads are impassable due to mud, and the rain continues to fall, hampering the operation.

The affected area spans about 50 acres (20 hectares), with homes and farmlands located on the slopes. The Prime Minister’s Office issued a disaster alert on Wednesday, noting that the ongoing heavy rains have also disrupted transportation, with major roads across the country cut off. In another tragic development, two rescue boats capsized on Wednesday during a mission to aid those affected by flooding on the River Nile, where the Pakwach Bridge had been submerged.