Landslides in eastern Uganda displace 3,500 people

Landslides in Uganda have displaced at least 3,500 people and destroyed dozens of houses and food crops in 20 villages in the country's eastern district of Bududa, the Uganda Red Cross said Thursday.

Talking to Anadolu Agency, Uganda Red Cross spokesperson Irene Kasita said: “The landslides that happened last night and today morning have displaced over 3,500 people, affecting villages in the parishes of Mabono, Kipsapsa, Makujje, and Namese. Our team is on the ground to help those affected.”

She said the affected families have been taken to nearby neighborhoods, adding the rain is still going on, and hilltops and valleys are not safe for settlement.

“We are relocating people to safe areas and coordinating with the district disaster management committees in the affected areas,” she added.

Landslides are common in these areas during rainy seasons. In October 2018, over 20 people were killed in landslides.