Locals in Mbale City continue to hunt for their missing ones in River Nabuyonga in Industrial Division after torrential rains caused hours of flooding.
The rains that started on Saturday night poured through the night till morning leaving many roads impassable. Cars were trapped and submerged, and houses were destroyed in Mbale and the surrounding districts.
In Mbale City, 10 people were confirmed dead on Sunday from Nambasa, Bugwere Cell, Bunghokho Subcounty, Northern Division, Nabuyonga River in Industrial Division, and Mutoto.
Some of the victims include Uganda People’s Defense Forces Soldier, Private Sam Chemulindwa who was attached to the 53rd Battalion in the 3rd Division. The officer was killed after flash waters swept him away while trying to cross a bridge.
Others include Jane Nekesa, a University student, Doreen Tamumza, Babra Kalayi, Rukia Kalayi — who are all members of the same family — and Yadi Farouk, all residents of the Northern Division in Mbale City.
Police and residents used ropes to pull out a super custom vehicle from the river.
Reports suggest that the deceased were heading to Kabwangasi sub-county in Butebo district from Kampala for an introduction ceremony.
The Mbale City Resident Commissioner, Ahamda Washaki fears that a lot more people could have died from the floods and their bodies still in the waters. He said that there is an urgent need to deploy the Police Marine Unit to search for the missing bodies.
Meanwhile, heavy rains also killed three people in Kapchorwa, while others were hospitalized. The deceased were killed after rains that started on Saturday caused a landslide in Kapsinda Sub-county, Tingey County in Kapchorwa district.
Villages around Sironko Town Council, Bukise S/C, Busambya, Bumukha, Doko, Nabirete, Dorcus, Bukiyende, Namirende were also affected with 480 households destroyed. No death or injuries were reported.
In Bulambuli district, areas affected include Dwikhonge S/C, Duwadwala Parish: Villages of Diwadwala, Busiyango, Buyakha, Bunabalayo, Kori, Sipi, Bumugoya, Labongo S/C, Mpumbura parish, Muyende S/C.672 houses were submerged but no deaths or injuries occurred.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabanjja traveled to the affected areas on Sunday and pledged government support to the victims of the floods. She said relief food is already on the way and that the affected persons will get it soon.
She said that the government will ensure the mountains and their forest cover is restored to avoid such calamities in the future.
