Namisindwa, Uganda: More than 500 villages across Buwabwala, Bumumali, Tsekululu, Mukoto sub-counties and Luwa Town Council are at risk following the emergence of massive landslide cracks that have left hundreds of residents living in fear.
The cracks, which became more pronounced after heavy rains on Wednesday, have already caused widespread destruction, with several homes developing large structural cracks while acres of crops have been buried or washed away by landslides and flooding.
The alarming situation was confirmed by Namisindwa District Chairperson Emma Bwayo following a field assessment conducted across the affected areas on Wednesday afternoon.
Accompanied by local leaders, Bwayo visited several villages to assess the extent of the damage and evaluate the immediate needs of affected communities.
The LC5 boss called for immediate government intervention, warning that lives could be lost if the situation is not addressed urgently. “It is time for government to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. We should not wait for people to lose their lives before taking action,” Bwayo said.
He revealed that district authorities are compiling a comprehensive report for submission to the central government seeking emergency assistance and long-term solutions for communities living in landslide-prone areas.
Bwayo also emphasized the need for relocation plans and disaster preparedness measures to reduce the recurring threat posed by landslides in the mountainous district.
Residents Fear for Their Lives
Residents in the affected areas say they are living in constant fear as cracks continue to widen around their homes.
Some families have reported sleepless nights as floodwaters seep into houses, while others have watched their crops destroyed by the ongoing disaster.
Affected residents, including Khaukha Cassim, Makati Patrick, and Elvis Wamono, thanked district leaders for visiting the affected communities but expressed concern over their uncertain future. “We are sleeping in houses that could collapse at any time. Every day we fear for our lives, but we have nowhere else to go,” one resident said.
The residents appealed to government for immediate evacuation support and emergency relief assistance.
Threat to Food Security and PDM Recovery
District Councilor for Tsekululu and Bungati, Betty Nandutu, commended the district leadership for responding quickly to the crisis.
Nandutu warned that the destruction of crops could trigger food insecurity if affected families do not receive timely support. “If government does not intervene quickly, hunger will become another disaster facing our people,” she said.
The councilor, who also serves as the District Executive Secretary for Social Services, noted that many households had invested heavily in farming using resources obtained through the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other livelihood programmes.
She cautioned that the widespread destruction of gardens could undermine the progress made by beneficiary households seeking to improve their incomes and livelihoods.
But local leaders want immediate evacuation plans, emergency relief supplies and long-term mitigation measures to protect vulnerable communities from future disasters.
Namisindwa District, located on the slopes of Mount Elgon, has historically experienced recurrent landslides and flooding, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
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