The recent mudslides that swept through parts of Kapchorwa and Bukwo districts in the Sebei Sub-region early this month (November) left at least 10 people dead, several others missing, and many displaced. In response, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) today delivered humanitarian support to affected communities currently sheltered at Tulel Primary School in Tulel Subcounty, Bukwo District.
UWA delegation was led by the Commissioner of Legal and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Chemonges Sabila, who represented the Executive Director. He was accompanied by Commissioner Field Operations, Mr. Tumwesigye Charles, and Assistant Commissioner Communications, Mr. Hangi Bashir, along with UWA liaison officers from the Police and UPDF, and MECA staff headed by Chief Warden, Mr. Amanya Samuel.
A total of 450 woolen blankets were handed over to local leaders, headed by Hon. Chemutai Evelyn, the Woman MP for Bukwo District, in the presence of displaced residents.
Communities most affected by the disaster are from Chesower, Tulel, Kamet, Longo, Mutchet, and Kortek subcounties — areas that suffered severe damage to property and loss of lives. These are our neighbors around Mount Elgon National Park, a region that continues to experience recurring landslides mainly due to deforestation and limited tree cover. The absence of sufficient vegetation weakens the soil’s stability and allows excess surface water to build pressure, triggering such tragic incidents.
While delivering his remarks on behalf of the UWA Executive Director, Mr. Sabila extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those hospitalized. He urged residents to set aside past misunderstandings with UWA and work together to strengthen conservation efforts, particularly through re-afforestation, to mitigate future disasters.
In her response, Hon. Chemutai Evelyn expressed gratitude to UWA for the timely support. She acknowledged that much of the land in the area is open and cultivated with crops such as Irish potatoes and onions, leaving it vulnerable to erosion. She emphasized that this tragedy serves as a wake-up call for the community to plant more trees and embrace conservation as a sustainable solution.
The mission concluded with a courtesy visit to Kapchorwa District Headquarters, where the team was received by Principal Assistant CAO, Mr. David Chemutai. An additional 50 woolen blankets were donated to support affected families in Kapchorwa, bringing the total to 500 blankets distributed across the two districts.
