By Rachel Pollock
18 March 2010 [MediaGlobal]: While it has been several weeks since the initial impact of the 1 March Uganda landslide, the Bududa district is still experiencing the repercussions and growing concerns that the natural disaster is far from over. On 8 March, Deputy Minister Musa Eceru told reporters, “more than 300,000 people have been displaced by floods in Eastern Uganda.” This was followed by a series of landslides on the slopes of Mount Elgon, which borders Kenya.
Rescue efforts have been slowed because the villagers participating alongside with relief organizations to excavate bodies from the ruins are fearful of the imminent threat of future landslides. Nabusayi Lindah Wamboka who is the Deputy Press Secretary to President Yoweri Musevini told MediaGlobal, “The problem is mainly because the site of the landslide is almost inaccessible as it is high up in the mountains and also bordering a forest. Rescue efforts were slowed down precisely because it is difficult to access this area. This is also the start of a rainy season, which is expected to last two to three months. The rains are torrential and on a daily basis.”
Numerous natural disaster relief organizations have speculated that the landslides occurred due to excessive rains and flooding coupled with an over-cultivation of land. In addition, experts observe that a crack in one of the hills overlooking the Nametsi village continues to widen and become more aggravated by the continuing floods and heavy rains. Rachel Pollock
