A devastating natural disaster has struck eastern Uganda, claiming the lives of at least 63 people after massive landslides buried classrooms at Bakuku Primary School during torrential rainfall.
The tragedy unfolded in the Bududa district, a mountainous region prone to landslides, where heavy rains triggered the catastrophic event that has left rescue teams scrambling through mud and debris in a desperate search for survivors.
School Becomes Death Trap
According to local authorities and eyewitness accounts, the landslides struck while students were in their classrooms, giving them little chance to escape the wall of mud and rock that engulfed the school buildings.
Rescue operations have been hampered by continuing bad weather and the remote, difficult terrain of the affected area. Emergency workers are using basic tools and their bare hands to dig through the mud in what has become a race against time.
Region's Tragic History with Landslides
This isn't the first time Bududa district has experienced such devastation. The region has suffered multiple deadly landslides in recent years, with one particularly severe event in 2010 claiming over 300 lives.
Local officials have repeatedly warned about the dangers of landslides in the area, citing deforestation and heavy seasonal rainfall as contributing factors to the instability of the mountainous terrain.
International Response
The Ugandan government has mobilized military and emergency services to the area, while international aid organizations are preparing to provide assistance to the affected communities.
This tragedy highlights the ongoing vulnerability of communities living in landslide-prone areas and raises urgent questions about disaster preparedness in regions most at risk from climate-related disasters.
