Death toll from the mudslides that have ravaged Kigezi region in western Uganda has risen to 18. Mudslides hit the region following heavy a downpour that started on Tuesday night till Wednesday morning.

Six people died in Biizi and Gihuyaga villages in Murora sub-county, three in Kashyambya and Rwamucucu sub-counties in Rukiga district, and three others in Rubanda district.

On Wednesday, the bodies of three people; Kevin Ahereza, 2, Vastinah Perceiver, 7, and Jeninah Twikiriize, 36 all residents of Rwamahano village in Ikamiro Muko sub-county, in Rubanda district were recovered by residents.

Ernest Rwamirengye, Ikamiro parish LC II chairman says that mudslides also destroyed about 80 houses and a number of gardens. Two more bodies were also recovered in Murora sub-county, Kisoro district, according to Hajji Shafique Ssekandi, Kisoro resident district commissioner.

Ssekandi says that the search is still ongoing. The heavy rains have also left many roads in the Kigezi sub-region impassible. Rivers like Kiruruma that flow through Kabale town to Ndorwa East constituency and act as a tributary of River Kagera have been flooded.

For the time being, the heavy rains have also caused loss of lives in neighbouring Rwanda specifically in Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, and Karongi districts in Western and Northern provinces and the death toll there has reached 109, according to Rwanda’s ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA).