Bulambuli, Uganda: At least two people died following heavy floods triggered by heavy rains that swept through Bulambuli District on Wednesday evening. The bodies of the deceased were retrieved from River Sisi at Biritinyi Rocks in Lusha Sub-county.
The victims, identified as boda boda riders from Gombe Sub-county, drowned when floods blocked the Simu–Gombe–Bulago road, leaving several motorcycles submerged. More victims are feared dead as a search and recovery operation continues.
The newly elected NRM parliamentary flag bearer for Elgon County, Moses Massa, visited the scene yesterday and joined residents in mourning. Massa contributed Shs300,000 to each bereaved family, an additional Shs100,000 to the mother of Ronald, one of the deceased, and pledged to educate Ronald’s child.
He urged government to rehabilitate the road, last worked on in 1958, saying it is vital for transporting goods to lower markets in the district.
Bulambuli District LC5 Chairperson Simon Peter Wanonzofu said community leaders are compiling lists of missing persons, noting the tragedy struck on a busy market day. “There are only two bodies recovered so far, but many more people could have been affected by this disaster,” he said.
District councillor one Agnes thanked Massa for supporting the victims’ families but urged him to push for an alternative route to ease transport for boda boda riders and pedestrians. She warned that idle youth without livelihoods risk turning to theft if such challenges persist.
Meanwhile, residents in neighbouring Bududa District have petitioned President Museveni over the long-delayed Bududa Circular Road, which links to Manafwa and Mbale, and has also been battered by the ongoing rains across the Bugisu sub-region.
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