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| Mudslides at Kapchorwa |
Mudslides and landslides has struck the Sebei sub-region in eastern Uganda—spanning Bukwo, Kween, and Kapchorwa districts—leaving at least 20 people dead, many more missing, and hundreds displaced.
The disaster followed days of heavy rainfall that drenched the slopes of Mount Elgon, causing the saturated soils to give way, burying homes and sweeping away entire villages in torrents of mud and debris.
In Bukwo District, especially around Kwanwa Village in Kapteka Parish, Chesower Sub-county, entire families were buried under thick layers of mud.
Among the victims were two infants and several adults whose bodies were later recovered by local rescuers. In Kween District’s Tuikat Sub-county, the landslide struck at about 2 a.m. on October 30, killing six people from a single household, including a father, mother, and their two young children aged five and one.
Witnesses said the sound of rocks tumbling down the slopes was followed by screams as homes collapsed instantly.
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| Image of Landslide Scene at Kapchorwa |
Local authorities and disaster officials say a combination of steep terrain, deforestation, and poor land-use practices made the region particularly vulnerable. The heavy and prolonged rains created a perfect storm, weakening already unstable slopes.
As of early November, at least 21 people had been confirmed dead, with another 11 still missing. Many families are feared to have been buried alive as rescuers continue digging through mud using shovels and hoes due to lack of proper machinery.
The Uganda Red Cross Society, local leaders, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces have joined efforts to rescue survivors and recover bodies. Roads leading to the worst-hit villages remain blocked by debris, making it difficult to reach victims.
The main Kapchorwa–Suam road has been severely damaged, cutting off transport and relief access. Displaced families have sought refuge in temporary shelters, churches, and schools as government agencies rush to provide emergency supplies, including food, water, and blankets.
The Office of the Prime Minister has released emergency funds to assist victims. Families who lost loved ones will receive five million Ugandan shillings each, while the injured will get one million.
State Minister Lilian Aber has directed that all residents living in the most dangerous high-risk areas be relocated immediately. A temporary holding camp has already been set up at Moyok, along the Kween–Bukwo border, to house survivors while resettlement plans are arranged.
Experts warn that this disaster highlights a recurring problem in Uganda’s mountainous regions. The Mount Elgon slopes have long been recognized as high-risk zones, yet thousands continue to live and farm on the steep terrain.
Environmentalists blame rampant deforestation, over-cultivation, and encroachment into protected zones for worsening the frequency and intensity of these disasters. Climate change is also intensifying rainfall patterns, making landslides more common and more deadly.
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| Kapchorwa Mudslide Scene |
The government’s immediate focus must be on saving lives and providing humanitarian aid, but the long-term solution requires strategic relocation, slope stabilization through reforestation, and strict enforcement of land zoning regulations.
Without decisive action, such tragedies will continue to claim lives in the same region year after year.
For the people of Sebei, this is more than just another natural disaster—it is a wake-up call. Beyond condolences and temporary relief, Uganda must act decisively to prevent a repeat of this tragedy.
The grieving families deserve more than sympathy; they deserve safety, foresight, and a future protected from recurring loss.
