Kampala, Uganda – In response to heartfelt appeals from local leaders and families affected by last month’s devastating landslide in Bulambuli, the Ugandan government has extended its search operations for missing victims. The initiative was initially scheduled to conclude on December 27 but will now continue as authorities aim to recover more bodies from the disaster site.
To date, 42 bodies have been recovered since the tragic event claimed numerous lives. During her visit to Buluganya, Lillian Aber, State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, acknowledged that while there was previously little hope of finding survivors, ongoing pressure from community members led to this decision.
“The government had initially planned to end the recovery operation; however, after further requests from community leaders, we have agreed to extend the search,” Minister Aber explained.
The recovery teams face considerable challenges due to tough terrain conditions that hinder manual excavation efforts. Patrick Oware, spokesperson for the UPDF Third Division, noted that compact soil is slowing down progress despite having excavators available on-site.
Authorities also face difficulties in identifying remains due to decomposition issues. Oware reiterated that continuing searches reflect community desires despite potential challenges in yielding significant findings.
Annet Nandudu, LCV Chairperson for Bulambuli district, expressed appreciation for the government’s decision and emphasized that residents remain hopeful about finding additional victims. The extension provides families with a chance for closure amid ongoing mourning and uncertainty.