At least 13 people have died and many more are missing after heavy rains hit several villages in the Bulambuli district of eastern Uganda.
According to the authorities, “the tragedy occurred on Wednesday night, when whole sections of the mountain collapsed, burying dozens of houses under the rubble.”
Rescue teams, supported by volunteers, are continuing their efforts to find survivors and recover bodies.
According to eyewitnesses, “many people are still trapped under the debris”.
Faced with this humanitarian crisis, local authorities have launched an appeal for international aid. Food, drinking water and shelter are urgently needed for the thousands of people affected by the disaster.
This tragedy illustrates once again Uganda’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change, with increasingly irregular and intense rainfall increasing the risk of landslides and flooding in the country.