200 People Displaced in Kasese District Over Mudslide

At least 225 persons from Karongo village in Rukoki Sub County in Kasese district are in urgent need of shelter and food following fresh mudslides. The disaster also destroyed several crop gardens and property.

The mudslide victims have pitched camp at Karongo Church of Uganda. Lawrence Bwambale from the Kasese Red Cross branch told URN that more than 49 households were displaced by the mudslides that destroyed their homes.

He says that they have compiled a report and submitted it to the district leadership and development partners to extend relief to the victims.

Johncation Kihulhire, the camp chairperson says that they are stranded without shelter, bedding, medicine, and food. He adds that the impact of the disaster might become bigger because the area is still experiencing a lot of rain.

“We are asking the government that these people are many and they need urgent help like latrines, and mosquito nets especially for children to safeguard them from malaria…”

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John Biremire, one of the victims said all crops, houses, and pit latrines were destroyed. He appeals to the government to urgently extend relief food to the IDPs since their gardens were largely destroyed.

“We want it to help us in a way it can as they observe our challenges, at the moment we don’t have food and other basic items such as bedding since they were covered under rubbles…” Biremire said.

Alex Buswa, another victim says that the heavy rains battered the area for two days leading to an overflow of major water streams in the mountainous areas. He adds that he lost about two acres of coffee and anticipates a hard economic moment in the area.

Hadiija Muhindo, a mother of four says they want food for their families since their crops have been destroyed.  The mother of four criticizes the district leadership for not responding to their calls on time.

Josia Isebaghen, the area LC 1 chairperson says the landslides have cut off roads isolating some of the areas. The former Busongora South MP, Jackson Mbaju Kathika has asked the government to urgently extend relief to the area, saying that the National Unity Platform has given the victims 400,000 Shillings to help them buy some basic items.

Eliphazi Muhindi, the Kasese district chairperson says they are compiling a report that will be sent to the government and partners for intervention.  The disaster is the second in the sub-county this year. On September 15, 2022 people were killed and many others remain in camps after mudslides hit Kasika village in the same Sub County.

Source: URN