Two people have been killed and several others buried by fresh mudslides in Sironko district. The mudslides occurred on Sunday evening at about 4pm in Bugimwela village in Bumasiba Sub County during a heavy down pour. Hussein Kato Matanda, Sironko Resident District Commission identifies the deceased as 52-year-old Ritah Mukokobi and 30-year-old Francis Wambuka.
He says that the bodies of both mudslide victims were retrieved by residents after several hours. He says that several other people are feared buried in the mud, adding that a team of police office is still digging up the ground to find survivors. Kato says that the mudslide also devastated various crop gardens and blocked roads in the village.
James Nabende, the LC V Chairman of Sironko district that more that 50 people have been displaced to their relatives and friends by the incident. Nabende says that they are set to visit the area to assess the damage caused by the mudslide. Attempts to contact Gerald Mbasa, the Sironko District Police Commander for comment were futile as he was leading a team of cops to rescue the survivors.
Recently, leaders from district around Mt. Elgon region petitioned parliament to compel government to relocate families from the slopes of Mt Elgon that are prune to landslides. Simon Peter Wanozofu, Bulambuli LC V chairman accused the ministry of Disaster Preparedness of failing to relocate the affected families.
He said the ministry had budgeted shillings 60 billion to relocate more than 30,000 people but nothing has been done to date. He asked parliament to intervene immediately and pass a supplementary budget so as to enable the ministry to resettle the affected people. Wanozofu said cracks had developed in some areas putting the lives of residents at high risk of a possible landslide. In 2009, 200 people were buried by mudslides in Nametsi village in Bududa. Another 30 people were buried in Sisiyi Sub County in August.
