At least 15 people have died, and 113 remain missing following a devastating landslide in Uganda’s eastern Bulambuli district, according to media reports. Triggered by heavy rainfall, the landslide swept through multiple villages, destroying at least 40 homes.

The Ugandan Red Cross Society confirmed the tragedy in posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, noting that rescue operations are ongoing. Ugandan police have reported that 15 injured individuals have been rescued and admitted to hospitals, while six of the recovered bodies are children.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja issued a disaster warning on Wednesday, urging caution as rains continue to batter the region. “People are suspected to be missing and some feared buried by slides,” she said in a statement posted on social media.

The impact of the torrential rains has been widespread. Rivers have burst their banks, flooding schools and churches, washing away bridges, and cutting off communication lines for affected communities. The Ugandan Defence Forces deployed two boats to rescue a taxi stranded on a bridge near Pakwach, further illustrating the scale of the disaster.

In parliament on Thursday, Speaker Anitah Among offered her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, emphasizing the need for swift support and recovery efforts.

Eastern Uganda is particularly vulnerable to landslides due to its hilly terrain and heavy rainfall patterns. In 2010, a landslide in Bududa claimed approximately 300 lives, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Uganda’s history. Scientists have warned that increased flooding and landslides are likely as extreme weather events intensify in East Africa.

Rescue teams continue to work tirelessly in the affected areas, but the full extent of the disaster is still unfolding.