10 dead, scores missing as landslides pummel western Uganda

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - At least 10 people were confirmed dead in western Uganda on Wednesday after the East African nation was hit once again by landslides following another spell of incessant rainfall.

Scores remain missing, while homes were washed away and property destroyed after the ongoing rains triggered the fresh landslides in the Kasese district early in the morning.

The incident occurred at about 4 a.m. local time (0100GMT) while most residents were asleep, said the Uganda Red Cross, warning that more of such disasters could befall the country this month as more heavy rains are expected.

"Six injured people have so far been rescued and referred to hospital. Our response team together with local authorities and other responders in the community are searching for the other missing persons," Uganda Red Cross spokesperson Irene Nakasiita told Anadolu Agency.

"The landslide was a result of heavy rains that hit the area last night," she added.

Destructive landslides are a recurring issue in Kasese, often occurring in the rainy months of each year.

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has warned of increased rainfall in several parts of the country that could result in disasters such as landslides and floods, leading to loss of life and destruction in the year's first major rainy season.

The Uganda Red Cross said that heavy rainfall has also caused water logging at the Nyakabande Holding Centre, which hosts hundreds of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.