Death toll rises to 35 in eastern Uganda landslides

KAMPALA - The death toll in the eastern Uganda landslide disaster has reached 35, police said Friday.

Sowed Mansur, Elgon region police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that police have recovered a total of 35 bodies, most of which came by running water from the mountains.

He added that the injured are over 30 and are receiving treatment at Bududa Health Center and Bukalasi Health Center.

Torrential rains on Thursday triggered landslides in Bukalasi and Buwali sub-counties in Bududa district, leaving scores of people dead and property destroyed.

Uganda Red Cross, a relief organization, said people were scared and fleeing their homes for safety as the heavy downpour continues all over the mountainous Elgon region.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday night urged the residents of the hit area to cooperate with the authorities to avoid more danger.

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the government has dispatched relief supplies including food, blankets, tents and tarpaulins to the affected people.

Mountainous eastern Uganda occasionally experiences landslides during the rain season but the worst incident was recorded in 2010 where several landslides killed some 300 people and left thousands homeless.