Two children only identified as Winnie aged nine years and Tom aged seven years’ killed in fresh landslides in Sironko District
Sironko District – Two children are reported dead following the Friday 13/12/2019 heavy drops of rain received in Bugisu sub-region, characterised by landslides as a result of extreme weather conditions.
The children who died were only identified as Winnie aged nine years and Tom aged seven years’ residents of Kyesha Village, Zesui Sub- County in Sironko District.
Isaac Lulaba, Sironko District Residence District Commissioner (RDC) confirmed the development.
“We indeed had a disaster this evening and two children died. But I’m still waiting for more information from my officers on the ground,” Lulaba said.
Tweet
Eyewitness say; Winnie and Tom were trapped in the rubble and it was very difficult to save their lives. As a result, residents appealed to the Ministry of Disaster and Preparedness to raise and save the people living in the landslides prone areas and the victims.
Florence Namboozo Mayogo, Sironko District Woman legislator confirmed the disaster and the death of the two children as well.
“It’s true another landslide has killed two children in my district and displaced hundreds of people,” Namboozo said.
Tweet
Narrating how the incident happened, Namboozo said that the children were returning from Nabweya hill, where they had gone to collect food for their grandmother.
Landslides have mainly affected Districts of Bududa and Sironko in Bugisu sub-region.
In Bududa, more than 47 people are feared dead and over 200 families displaced who are now finding accommodation in churches and schools. In Sironko District, more than 10 people have died and 100 families displaced.
Residents in the Bududa District affected areas led by David Wafula one of the survivors in Namasa village, Bushika Sub-County in Bududa District said they would very much want to relocate to a safer place but they don’t have where to go.
“We are tired of losing relatives due to disasters. We want to leave but we have nowhere to go,” Wafula said.
Tweet
The Executive Director of Support Transformation Effort Programme, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Fred Gando attributed the disaster on human activities that include degradation of wetlands, poor farming methods and deforestation.
“Riverbanks are bursting because they have been encroached on and the government is not able to direct what is supposed to be done, because of corruption,” Gando said.
Tweet
