Eastern Uganda is once again grappling with the devastating consequences of heavy rains and landslides, which have swept through Bulambuli District, located at 1.48150N, 34.28660E, and expanded to surrounding areas, including Mbale and Bukedea districts. The disaster triggered by over 10 hours of torrential rainfall on November 29, 2024, has left devastating impacts, which, among the many, included the following impacts:
Lives lost: Over 20 confirmed fatalities, with more than 150 people still missing.
Displacement: Over 300 individuals have been displaced and are now homeless.
Households affected: More than 60 homes buried or destroyed in Bulambuli alone, with an additional 35 households affected in Kamutur, Bukeddea district.
Farmland devastation: One-quarter of the region’s farmland has been washed away, threatening food security for months to come.
Livestock losses: Over 420 animals, including goats, cows, and sheep, have been lost, leaving families without vital livelihoods.
Infrastructure damage: Key infrastructure, such as the Mbale-Soroti road, intersected by the river Nabuyonga, has been severely affected, disrupting transportation and emergency response efforts.
The flooding is still ongoing in many areas, with vulnerable communities like Kamutur in Bukeddea and others in Pakwach (West Nile) facing similar calamities.The EKCÖLAB team in Uganda is tirelessly working to solve the situation on ground with collaborations with local stakeholders.