The death toll from the devastating landslide in Soni Village, Buluganya Sub-County, Bulambuli District, has risen to 20 after the recovery of five more bodies this Friday.
The landslide, which struck on Wednesday night following heavy rains, has left several families displaced and many residents still feared buried under the rubble.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Friday visited the disaster-stricken area to express sympathy, extend support to bereaved families and injured victims, and assess the situation on the ground.
Having navigated muddy roads for five kilometers, the Prime Minister and her team from the Office of the Prime Minister reached the affected village where the bodies were laid amidst thousands of grieving locals.
Nabbanja announced immediate financial support, with shs5 million allocated per each body for burial arrangements and shs1 million given to each injured person.
She also pledged continued government assistance, including deploying 300 soldiers to assist in recovery efforts and plans to airlift excavators to accelerate the process.
"The government, under the directive of the president, has mobilized resources to help exhume all bodies. Excavators will be brought in, though the current weather is challenging," Nabbanja stated.
In response to the recurring landslide disasters in the Elgon region, Nabbanja outlined both short-term and long-term plans for affected residents.
"In the short term, we are relocating people to Nabutye for their safety. In the long term, the government will allocate two acres of land per family and shs 17 million per homestead to help construct houses in safer areas," she said.
State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Lillian Aber emphasized the urgency of relocation, urging residents in landslide-prone areas to cooperate with government efforts.
"The vehicles are ready to take you to Nabutye. Food and non-food items will only be provided to those who relocate. Medical camps will also be set up in Nabutye to care for the sick. Those ready to leave should start boarding the vehicles now," Aber urged.
As of now, 20 bodies have been recovered, with several others feared to be buried underground.
Recovery efforts are being bolstered by local communities and military personnel. The government plans to use census records to verify the identities of those missing and deceased.
Residents have expressed gratitude for the support but remain anxious about the challenges ahead as they mourn the lives lost.
This tragedy underscores the pressing need for effective measures to mitigate the impact of landslides in disaster-prone regions like Mount Elgon.
