Bulambuli, (UG):– The death toll from the catastrophic mudslides that struck Buluganya Parish in Buluganya Sub-county, Bulambuli District, has risen to 22 as search and rescue operations continue.
The mudslides, triggered by a six-hour downpour on the evening of Wednesday, November 27, 2024, buried approximately 45 households, leaving a trail of destruction and grief in four villages; Masugu, Namakyele, Mamolo, and Ntagalo.
Initially, several bodies were recovered, and survivors were rushed to medical facilities. However, as rescue teams and local volunteers continued combing through the debris, more bodies were discovered, bringing the confirmed death toll to 22.
The deceased individuals have been identified as:
- Wolimbwa Pascal, aged 70, from Masugu Village
- Nandudu Stellah, aged 20, from Masugu Village
- Nandudu Brenda, aged 24, from Namakyele Village
- Woniala Paul, aged 6, from Masugu Village
- Namasoko James, aged 30, from Masugu Village
- Nakayenze Bridget, aged 14, from Masugu Village
- Zemei Jackline, aged 40, from Ntagalu Village
- Sirikye Paul, aged 60, from Masugu Village
- Nafuna Mary, aged 32, from Namakyele Village
- Lutalo David, aged 9, from Masugu Village
- Zemei Margaret, aged 4, from Ntagalu Village
- Kayegi Rosita, aged 3, from Namakyele Village
- Nafuna Anne, aged 15, from Masugu Village
- Namahe Sylvia, aged 18, from Namakyele Village
- Naganza Josephine, aged 90, from Masugu Village
- Vule Allen, aged 60, from Mamolo Village
- Khaiza Scovia, aged 51, from Masugu Village
- Massa Enocent, aged 52, from Masugu Village
- Tomonyi Allen, aged 42, from Masugu Village
- Nanduga Petwa, aged 48, from Ntagalu Village
- Galayi Elija, aged 4, from Ntagalu Village
- One unidentified victim whose remains were only partially recovered
The survivors include:
- Monje James, from Masugu Village
- Sabayo John, aged 25, from Namakyele Village
- Manana Edward, from Namakyele Village
- Nambozo Sarah, aged 18, from Namakyele Village
- Namisi Geoffrey, from Namakyele Village
- Nambubolo Vincent, aged 4, from Namakyele Village
- Nabumboyi Alice, aged 50, from Ntagalo Village
According to SP Taitika Rogers, the Public Relations Office Elgon region; “Rescue efforts have been ongoing since the night of the disaster, with authorities and volunteers tirelessly working to recover more bodies and assist survivors.”
He added that “Postmortem examinations have been conducted on the recovered bodies, while the injured are receiving treatment at Mbale Referral Hospital and Muyembe Health Center IV.”
The mudslides in Bulambuli have left families devastated, with many displaced and in urgent need of food, shelter, and medical supplies. Local authorities and humanitarian organizations are working to provide relief to survivors, but the scale of the disaster has stretched resources thin.
Bulambuli District, known for its mountainous terrain and susceptibility to landslides, has experienced similar disasters in the past, highlighting the urgent need for resettlement programs and disaster preparedness measures for at-risk communities.
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