A deadly landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Uganda’s Bulambuli district has claimed at least 17 lives, with over 100 others reported missing, according to government officials. The disaster occurred on Wednesday, burying dozens of homes across several villages in the mountainous region approximately 300 kilometers east of Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

Heartbreaking scenes unfolded as survivors wailed for loved ones amidst the devastation, and rescue workers dug through deep mud in search of survivors. Footage broadcast on local media revealed vast areas blanketed in sludge where homes and schools once stood.

Charles Odongtho, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, expressed shock at the high death toll despite early warnings issued to residents in risk-prone areas at the onset of the rainy season. "The loss of lives is heartbreaking, especially after efforts to alert the communities," he said.

The Uganda Red Cross Society reported that 45 households were entirely buried, with many others partially damaged. Among the victims was a young mother and her newborn, buried under the rubble, as confirmed by Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi, a local lawmaker in Elgon County. "It’s devastating; she had just given birth," he shared in an emotional statement.

The Ugandan government has urged residents in landslide-prone zones to relocate to safer areas. Rescue operations led by the Red Cross and police are ongoing, with hopes of finding more survivors diminishing as hours pass.

The landslide comes amid a period of unusually heavy rainfall across East Africa since October, which has caused widespread flooding and exacerbated vulnerabilities in mountainous regions. On Tuesday, the torrential rains led to the River Nile bursting its banks, flooding a key highway linking Kampala to the northwest.

Environmental degradation has amplified the risk of landslides in Uganda, particularly in the mountainous areas where forests have been cleared for agriculture. Experts warn that the loss of vegetation increases soil instability, making such regions more susceptible to disasters.

This is not the first tragedy of its kind in the area. In 2010, a massive landslide in the same region killed at least 80 people, underscoring the urgent need for long-term measures to address both climate and environmental challenges.

As rescue workers continue their search efforts, Uganda grieves for the lives lost and those still unaccounted for. The government has reiterated its commitment to improving disaster preparedness and addressing the environmental factors contributing to such tragedies.