By Luganda David Nsiyonna – NECJOGHA
Kapchorwa, Uganda — A devastating landslide struck Kapsomo Village in West Division, Kapchorwa District, Eastern Uganda, claiming the lives of four individuals from a single household and leaving two others injured. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, completely destroyed the family’s home, plunging the local community into mourning.
According to Irene Nakasiita, the Director of Communication at the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), the fatalities include one adult woman and three children. “It’s a heartbreaking situation,” she explained. “The landslide buried the entire household, and unfortunately, four lives were lost on the spot.
Two survivors were rescued from the debris and rushed to Kapchorwa Hospital for urgent medical attention. Their condition remains critical but stable, according to local health officials.
In response to the tragedy, the Uganda Red Cross Society has swiftly mobilized its local branch team to support ongoing emergency efforts. “Our volunteers are on the ground assisting with search and rescue operations,” Nakasiita confirmed. “We’ve also provided first aid and psychosocial support to the survivors and grieving family members.”
URCS has been working closely with local authorities and health teams to ensure the injured receive proper care. The organization has also launched a rapid needs assessment to determine the immediate humanitarian requirements of the affected community.
According to the Ten-Day Weather Forecast (21st–31st October 2025) issued on October 21, 2025, by the Department of Meteorological Services under the Ministry of Water and Environment, rainfall across Uganda has reached its seasonal peak. The bulletin attributes this to the current position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over Uganda and a strong phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), both of which are expected to intensify rainfall across most regions, including Mt. Elgon, Rwenzori, Teso, Eastern Uganda and Southwestern Uganda.
The forecast warns that “heavy rainfall activities are expected to occur over most parts of the country.” It further highlights potential hazards such as “flash floods, lightning, waterlogging, disease outbreak, contamination of water sources due to increased surface runoff into such sources, and disruption of traffic flows along transportation routes as some bridges may be washed away or collapse.”
This latest landslide adds to a growing list of climate-related disasters in Eastern Uganda, a region increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. As the rainy season intensifies, humanitarian agencies are urging for greater preparedness and investment in early warning systems to prevent further loss of life.
Nakasiita emphasized the importance of community resilience and proactive disaster response. “We must act before disasters strike,” she said. “Lives depend on it.”
Authorities continue to monitor the area for further risks, while the Uganda Red Cross remains on high alert to provide continued support.
