Bududa mudslides: Museveni apologises over delayed relocation of Bududa residents

President Museveni talks to journalists and residents in Bukalasi, Bududa District on October 14, 2018. PHOTO BY LEONARD MUKOOLI

What you need to know:

  • At least 42 bodies of victims have so far been recovered.
  • Search and rescue operation still going on to find survivors and more victims.
  • The mudslides occurred last Thursday as a result of heavy rainfall.

President Museveni who is Bukalasi Sub County, Bududa District where dozens of residents lost their lives in the mudslides that swept their homes after a down pour on Thursday, has apologised over his government’s failure to relocate residents from the mudslides prone mountains to safer areas.
According to him, the politicisation of the relocation programme delayed the resettlement process.

“Move away from the mountains and conserve nature. The politicisation of the relocation programme has been resolved. If politics had not been at the centre, then people would have been resettled in phases,” Mr Museveni said on Sunday.
Government officials including Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda; the Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Mr Hillary Onek, among other local leaders, were present.

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Museveni arrives in Bududa as mudslide victims get relief items

Mr Museveni was flanked by other government officials including Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, the Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Mr Hillary Onek, among others

He also promised to give Shs5 million to families of each person who died in the mudslides and Shs2 million to each of those who were injured.
His visit comes hours after government finally delivered relief items to victims.
The items include food and other items such as tents, blankets, jerrycans, saucepans, basins, plates, mosquito nets, cups among others.
The disaster mostly affected residents Bukalasi Sub-county.