Death Toll from Sebei Landslides Rises to 19

The death toll from the devastating landslides that struck parts of the Sebei Sub-region has climbed to 19, after three more bodies were retrieved in Bukwo District on Sunday evening.

According to Fredmark Chesang, the Sipi Region Police Spokesperson, the latest recoveries were made at Nyalit Village in Bukwo District, one of the hardest-hit areas. “We have recovered three more bodies, and we expect to find more as the search continues. The rescue and recovery operations are still underway,” Chesang told reporters.

The landslides, which occurred between October 30 and November 1, 2025, followed days of torrential rainfall that pounded the Elgon highlands, triggering massive soil movements across steep slopes. The most affected areas include Kapsomu Cell in Kapchorwa Municipality, Kabelyo Parish in Bukwo District, and Chepkus Village in Tuikat Sub-county, Kween District.

Authorities say more than 20 people remain missing, while dozens of homes, gardens, and roads have been buried under mud and debris. Several families have been displaced, with some seeking shelter in schools and churches as emergency teams continue to search for survivors.

On Sunday, State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Lilian Aber, convened an emergency disaster management meeting at Kapchorwa District Headquarters, where she ordered the immediate relocation of all residents living in high-risk zones.

“We have ordered immediate relocation from high-risk zones to ensure no more lives are lost,” Minister Aber said, adding that the government, with support from the Uganda Red Cross, is already mobilising tarpaulins, food, and other essential relief items, and also guaranteeing life for those affected.

Minister Aber also delivered 5 million Shillings from President Yoweri Museveni to support burial expenses for the bereaved families and 1.5 million Shillings to assist those injured in accessing medical care. She further directed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Uganda Police Force to deploy additional personnel to aid evacuation efforts and provide security at temporary camps.

Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that deforestation, poor land use practices, and climate change have worsened the frequency and intensity of landslides in the Sebei Sub-region, which lies on the slopes of Mount Elgon, one of Uganda’s most landslide-prone areas.

Over the years, the government and humanitarian agencies have initiated relocation programs to resettle families from high-risk hillsides to safer lowland areas. However, limited resources, land disputes, and attachment to ancestral land have slowed progress, leaving thousands still exposed to recurring disasters.

As rescue teams continue to comb through the debris, local leaders are appealing for more support, warning that the persistent rains could trigger further landslides in the coming days.