Landslides in Uganda washed away dozens of houses in Bulambuli after heavy rains

At least 14 people have died in a landslide in eastern Uganda, but officials fear the real death toll is much higher after 40 houses were washed away.

Landslides caused by heavy rain have affected many villages in Bulambuli district, about 280 kilometers (178 miles) from the capital Kampala.

The Ugandan Red Cross Society said at least 14 people had died, but AFP reported that the death toll could reach 30.

The rescue operation is ongoing, the Uganda Red Cross Society told X.

At least six of the bodies found were of children, the Ugandan Red Cross told the BBC.

Heavy rain has hit the East African country in the past few days.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbaja issued a disaster warning for X.

“It is suspected that people are missing and others are afraid of being buried by slides,” said his statement.

Rivers broke their banks, filled schools and churches, destroyed bridges, and divided communities.

Troops have been deployed to assist with search and recovery efforts.

On Wednesday, the security forces said that two boats were deployed in X during the operation to rescue a taxi that was stuck on a bridge near the town of Pakwach.

One of the boats capsized and the engineer died.

In parliament on Thursday, the speaker, Anitah Among, expressed his condolences to the relatives of those who died due to floods across the country.

It is not the first time that eastern Uganda has been hit by floods and landslides.

In 2010, a landslide in Bududa killed around 300 people. This was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the country.

The region is mountainous with arable land suitable for farming – one of the reasons why people hesitate to leave, and their attachment to the land of their ancestors.

But this year alone, heavy rains, floods, and landslides have forced thousands of people to leave their homes, according to the report. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.