Kisoro – The death toll from mudslides in the Kigezi region has risen to 18. Mudslides hit the region following heavy downpour that started on Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.
In Kisoro district, six people are confirmed dead. According to Irene Nakasiita the Uganda Redcross spokesperson, five of these are from one family in Biizi village and one in Gihuyaga village, both in Murora Sub-County Kisoro district.
In a statement on Wednesday, Nakasiita said the Red Cross response teams were on ground, and also involved in exhumation and management of the dead, together with the local authorities and community members.
“For coordination, we are joined by the Village Disaster Management Committee, Sub-County Disaster Management Committee and the main District Disaster Management Committee to complete rapid assessments and also take collective decisions that will enable the affected to recieve appropriate relief support,” she said
Meanwhile, six people are also reported dead in Murora subcounty, three in Kashyambya and Rwamucucu Sub Counties all 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, the Ikamiro Parish LCII Chairman says that mudslides also destroyed about 80 houses and gardens of crops like cabbage, beans, and sorghum.
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.
