By Joseph Barasa
BUKWO, Uganda
Oct. 30, 2025 (IP)
Torrential overnight rains unleashed deadly landslides in Uganda’s eastern highlands on Thursday, burying homes and killing at least nine people in Bukwo and neighboring Kween districts, local authorities said.
The disaster struck as families slept, flattening houses in Chesower Sub-County in Bukwo and Tuikat Sub-County in Kween.
Among the victims were three children from a single family in Bukwo and five relatives in Kween, according to the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Emergency crews and residents spent the morning digging through mud and debris with hand tools, as continued rain and blocked roads slowed rescue operations.
“The terrain is slippery, and many areas remain inaccessible,” said a district official, warning that more people could still be trapped.
Authorities said farmlands were destroyed and bridges washed away, leaving several villages isolated.
Relief agencies have deployed teams to assess damage and provide emergency shelter and medical support to survivors.
The Sebei sub-region, perched on the slopes of Mount Elgon, is notorious for recurring landslides during Uganda’s rainy season.
Environmental experts blame deforestation, steep terrain, and the intensifying effects of climate change for worsening the frequency of such disasters.
Officials urged residents in high-risk zones to relocate temporarily as search and recovery efforts continue.
