Landslide threat looms as rain pounds district
Locals look at a section of land affected by landslides at Bundyelume Primary School in Bundibugyo District at the weekend. PHOTO/ALEX ASHABA
What you need to know:
- The landslides have struck parts of the district, destroying homes and devastating agricultural land.
The return of heavy rains has raised fears of impending landslides and mudslides in Bundibugyo District.
Residents and local leaders say more than 40 houses have been destroyed.
Most of the affected sub-counties are situated in the Rwenzori Mountain ranges on the Uganda-DR Congo border. In recent weeks, the landslides have struck parts of the district, destroying homes and devastating agricultural land.
The most affected areas include Katumba, Bubukwanga, Bundiwerume, Busigha villages, and Bundimulombi Town Council.
The chairperson of Kirumya Sub-county, Mr Abraham Bamwiterebye, said a key road linking Katumba to Bubukwanga has been destroyed, leaving residents relying on footpaths.
“Initially, this place was a flat area with houses, and in between, there was a road. But it sank, destroying 40 houses, cocoa plantations, and other food crops. Many people suffered losses as their gardens were buried under sand,” he said on Monday.
He added that many residents were forced to relocate at their own expense, with no support from the government.
Ms Night Esiyoni, a resident of Katumba Village, said last month, her house and gardens were destroyed when the land caved in, leaving her with only her kitchen to live in.
During a visit to the affected areas last week, this publication observed that numerous houses stand precariously on cracked land, some already showing signs of collapse.
Bundibugyo District chairperson Robert Tibakunirwa said the landslides have severely impacted development and disrupted essential services.
“Whenever we plan to construct roads in these affected areas, they are washed away by the rains. In some locations, deep cracks—up to half a kilometre in length—are forming,” Mr Tibakunirwa said.
“The only immediate solution for affected areas like Bundimulombi and Kasazi is to have people relocated before lives are lost,” he emphasised,” he added.
Local leaders are urging the central government to send geological experts to investigate the causes of the land movements and make recommendations.
BACKGROUND
Over the years, the district has been prone to recurrent floods and mudslides. In December 2019, floods claimed 17 lives. Since April 2023, more than 4,000 acres of land have been hit by landslides, mudslides or sunk, destroying plantations and property.
