Communities in Bukwo and Kween Struggle to Recover Amid Road Blockages and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
At least nine people have lost their lives, including three children, after devastating mudslides struck Eastern Uganda following days of intense rainfall, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has confirmed.
The tragedy unfolded in the mountainous districts of Bukwo and Kween, where torrential rains unleashed destructive mudflows that swept through homes and farms, leaving widespread damage and grief among residents.
In Chesower Sub-county, Bukwo District, a mudslide tore through a family home, killing three children on the spot.
According to the Uganda Red Cross Society, volunteers were immediately dispatched to the scene to conduct rapid assessments and offer emergency support to the affected families.
“Red Cross volunteers are on the ground conducting rapid assessments and providing support to affected families,” the agency said in a statement on Thursday.
However, efforts to access the affected areas remain challenging as continuous heavy rains have washed away several roads, cutting off key routes and severely hampering rescue and relief operations.
Local leaders report that some survivors have been forced to spend nights in temporary shelters, while others are being hosted by relatives in nearby villages as humanitarian agencies mobilize additional support.
In a related incident, another deadly mudslide struck Yatui Village in Kween District on Wednesday night, claiming six lives.
Rescue teams comprising Red Cross personnel, local authorities, and community members are working tirelessly to search for any remaining victims and recover bodies buried under the mud.
“The Red Cross, working closely with district officials and local residents, is coordinating search and recovery operations,” the statement further indicated.
The URCS said it is also assessing the full extent of the damage, including the number of displaced persons and the loss of property.
“A detailed assessment of the impact and humanitarian needs will be released once field teams complete their evaluation,” the Red Cross noted.
Heavy rains have persisted across the Elgon sub-region for several weeks, triggering landslides, flash floods, and soil erosion in the hilly districts of Bududa, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, and Kween — areas historically prone to such disasters.
Environmental experts attribute the recurring landslides to a combination of factors, including steep terrain, deforestation, and unregulated cultivation on mountain slopes.
In recent years, the government, working with humanitarian partners, has attempted to relocate high-risk communities to safer lowlands, but limited resources and resistance from residents have slowed progress.
Disaster preparedness agencies are now urging residents in vulnerable highland zones to remain alert and heed early warning messages as the rainy season continues.
The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has also forecast more rainfall in the coming days, warning that further flooding and landslides could occur if the downpours persist.
Meanwhile, the Red Cross has appealed for public support, noting that many affected families are in urgent need of shelter, food, and psychosocial assistance.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives in Bukwo and Kween, calls are growing for stronger disaster risk management, better land use planning, and sustained investment in environmental protection to prevent future tragedies in Uganda’s fragile mountain ecosystems.
