Residents in Bunyangabu district were shocked yesterday as heavy rains triggered mudslides, leaving 4 people dead, scores injured, and properties destroyed, with hundreds displaced to public places.
Titus Mukiidi, a 30-year-old boda boda rider, lost four people from a single household located in the hills of Kitumba village of Kateebwa Sub-County in Bunyangabu district. He recounted that around 4 pm, he received a heartbreaking phone call alerting him that his house had been washed away by the mudslides, leaving all its occupants dead and all properties destroyed.
Titus further expressed fear about how he would face life with his three remaining kids, who survived the incident by seeking refuge in the neighborhood as the heavy rains began.
The deceased are: Harriet Kabugho, 25, the wife of Mukiidi; Evelyn Biira, 37, Mukiidi’s sister; Praise Musoki, 11, Mukiidi’s nephew; and Junior Mumbere, 4, Mukiidi’s son.
Bright Maate, the Chairperson LC3 of Kateebwa Sub-County, confirmed that in the same incident, 117 households were affected, with 20 people heavily injured and hospitalized, and multimillion properties destroyed, roads cut off, among other damages.
Bright went on to disclose that almost 90% of the areas in his sub-county lie on the hills of Mount Rwenzori and are very prone to mudslides, evidenced by the number of mudslide cases registered over the years.
Joshua Masereka, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Bunyangabu district, urged all displaced people, who had initially gathered at Kateebwa Sub-County headquarters to mourn the passing of their colleagues, to stay in public places such as schools and churches until the government finds a long-lasting solution.
He also appealed to the government, non-governmental organizations, and other well-wishers to immediately provide temporary shelters, clothing, and food to help the stranded residents at Kateebwa Sub-County headquarters.
Peace Mutuuzo, the Woman MP for Bunyangabu district and also the State Minister for Gender and Culture, while on a phone call, disclosed that they have previously registered three mudslides when the government did not respond to the cries of the people.
She, however, called upon all people living in hilly areas prone to mudslides to vacate immediately, adding that the Prime Minister’s office would also come on the ground to earmark such places and have the people resettled in safer areas.
