The death toll in Bulambuli District resulting from the mudslide has risen to 22. The landslide occurred in Buluganya Parish, Buluganya Sub-County, on the evening of November 27, 2024, around 7 PM.
Heavy rainfall lasting approximately six hours triggered the disaster, burying about 45 households in the villages of Masugu, Namakyele, Mamolo, and Ntagalo.
The deceased have been identified as Wolimbwa Pascal, 70, from Masugu village; Nandudu Stellah, 20, from Masugu village; Nandudu Brenda, 24, from Masugu village; Woniala Paul, 6, from Masugu village; Namasoko James, 30, from Masugu village; Nakayenze Bridget, 14, from Masugu village; Zemei Jackline, 40, from Masugu village; and an unidentified individual whose remains consist only of the stomach and intestines.
Among the survivors are Monje James from Masugu village, Sabayo John, 25, from Namakyele village, Manana Edward from Namakyele village, Nambozo Sarah, 18, from Namakyele village, Namisi Geoffrey, Nambubolo Vincent, and Nabumboyi Alice.
According to Rogers Taitika, the Elgon Region police spokesperson, the number of missing individuals remains high, and efforts to locate them are ongoing.
However, rescue operations have been hampered by impassable roads, making it difficult for vehicles to access the affected areas.
Police have documented the scene, and recovered bodies have been taken for postmortem examinations. Survivors are being managed at Mbale Referral Hospital and Muyembe Health Center IV. Bulambuli’s highland terrain remains vulnerable to landslides due to relentless heavy rains.
Earlier, Hajjat Faheera Mpalanyi, the Bulambuli Resident District Commissioner, said, “We are coordinating with local authorities and rescue teams to assist survivors and recover bodies. This is a catastrophic situation.”