Written By | BK Mugizi
Residents rushed to the scene and used hand hoes and other rudimentary tools to dig through the mud and debris in an attempt to rescue people trapped inside the houses.
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BUHWEJU
Four children have died and another is missing after landslides and floods swept away two houses in Rukiri Parish, Bihanga Sub-county, Buhweju West, following a heavy downpour on Thursday night.
The disaster occurred after hours of heavy rain caused the Ndurumo River to burst its banks, sending floodwater, mud and debris towards homes located behind Rukiri Primary School.
Residents said the force of the water and mud swept through the two houses, destroying them completely and trapping several family members.
Residents use hand hoes in rescue efforts
Residents rushed to the scene and used hand hoes and other rudimentary tools to dig through the mud and debris in an attempt to rescue people trapped inside the houses.
Denis Kamugisha, a councillor for Rukiri Parish, said the rain destroyed the home of an elderly man identified as Francisco.
“There was a heavy downpour and it came heavily. The family members of an old man, one Francisco, had a home behind Rukiri Primary School. The rain destroyed two houses and over six children were swept away by the floods,” Kamugisha said.
He said one child was still missing by press time.
“One is still completely missing. It was already 8pm, but we had not seen him because he was very young. We think the floods could have taken him far away. Another one was rescued,” he said.
Kamugisha said the houses and all the belongings inside them were destroyed.
“The houses were completely destroyed, even their belongings. Nothing remained. You can't even believe that there were families,” he said.
He appealed to the Government to urgently intervene and support the affected families.
Mother swept away while trying to save child
John Bosco Tumuhereze, the LC3 chairperson of Bihanga Sub-county, said the disaster struck as residents attempted to escape the rapidly rising water, mud and debris.
He said residents were warned to flee after noticing the intensity of the rain and the flow of muddy water.
Tumuhereze said a mother carrying her child was swept away as she attempted to escape.
“The mother had her child in her hands and tried to save him, but she fell down and the child was swept away by the floods. As she tried to look for him, she couldn't trace the child. She was then trapped by a banana plant. Till now, the child has not been rescued,” he said.
Tumuhereze said an 11-year-old child died at the scene.
“Another child who was 11 years old died on the spot and could not be rescued,” he said.
He identified some of the children who were rescued as Atwijukire Godwin and Tumuhiibise Lawrence, although he said he could not immediately confirm the names of all the deceased.
One of the rescued children was in critical condition and was receiving treatment at Bihanga Health Centre III by press time.
Search for missing child continues
Rescue efforts were still ongoing, with residents continuing to dig through the debris using hand hoes and other rudimentary tools.
Buhweju District Resident Commissioner Purikeria Muhindo confirmed the tragedy and said efforts were underway to search for and retrieve the missing child.
“We have received reports of the tragedy and efforts are underway to retrieve the missing child. We are monitoring the situation and assessing the extent of the damage so that the affected families can receive the necessary support,” Muhindo said.
The commissioner urged residents in areas prone to flooding and landslides to remain alert and move to safer areas whenever heavy rains begin.
By press time, police had not released an official statement on the latest incident.
