Six people have been confirmed dead following a landslide that hit Chekwutus Village in Tuikat Sub–County, Kween District, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The incident, which was triggered by heavy overnight rainfall, also affected the neighboring sub counties of Kwosir, Benet, and Kaseko, leaving behind widespread destruction and displacement of residents.
Mande David Kapcheronge, the LC5 councillor, Tuikat Sub County, told Uganda Radio Network that four families were swept away by the landslide, with six members of one family confirmed dead and several others sustaining serious injuries. Kapcheronge said the community is carrying out excavation efforts to recover bodies believed to be buried under the mud.
“The rains have not stopped and we are doing everything we can as a community to recover the bodies that are still buried,” Kapcheronge said. Meanwhile, the LC3 chairperson for Kwosir Sub County, Moses Chesuro, described the situation as dire, noting that the heavy rains have destroyed property, uprooted trees, and broken several bridges, making many areas inaccessible.
“Our subcounty is in a mess, trees are down, bridges have been cut off, and transport is completely paralyzed so people cannot access basic services,” Chesuro said. He appealed to the Kween District Disaster Management Committee and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently, saying the situation remains critical as the rains continue.
One of the affected residents, James Twoyem, said the community is living in fear as landslides and heavy rains persist. “The disaster is continuing; the rains have been consistent; we call upon authorities to come to our rescue,” Twoyem said.
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