The government has ordered the immediate relocation of families displaced by landslides in the Sebei sub-region following days of heavy rainfall that triggered widespread destruction in Kween District.
The State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Lilian Aber, said the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is working closely with the Uganda Red Cross Society to provide emergency relief, food supplies, and temporary shelter for affected households.
“We are moving quickly to ensure no lives are lost due to delayed assistance. Our teams are on the ground identifying safe areas for resettlement,” Minister Aber said during a visit to Kabelyo Parish, Moyok Sub-county, one of the hardest-hit areas.
According to the minister, arrangements are underway to set up tents in Kabelyo Parish, which local leaders have identified as a safe and flat area suitable for temporary settlement.
The site will host hundreds of families displaced by landslides that swept through several villages in Kween, Kapchorwa, and Bukwo districts last week. The disaster destroyed homes, crops, and community roads, leaving many residents without shelter or food.
Aber said the government has allocated emergency funds for immediate relief while assessments continue to determine long-term relocation and rehabilitation needs.
District officials have been directed to support relocation efforts and ensure that aid distribution is transparent and equitable.
Kween District Chairperson Paul Chelimo confirmed that over 200 households have already been evacuated from high-risk slopes.
“We appreciate the government’s swift response. However, we still need more tents, clean water, and medical supplies for the affected families,” Chelimo said.
The Uganda Red Cross has dispatched volunteers and health teams to provide first aid, psychosocial support, and hygiene supplies to those sheltering in temporary camps.
The Sebei sub-region, located on the slopes of Mount Elgon, experiences frequent landslides due to deforestation, poor land-use practices, and heavy rainfall.
In recent years, similar disasters in Bududa and Kapchorwa have claimed dozens of lives and displaced thousands, prompting the government to prioritize disaster risk reduction and relocation of at-risk communities.
Meteorologists have warned of continued heavy rainfall through November, increasing the risk of more landslides and flooding in the eastern highlands.
Minister Aber urged residents living on steep slopes to move to safer ground immediately, warning that continued occupation of disaster-prone areas could lead to further loss of life.
“The government is committed to protecting citizens, but communities must cooperate by relocating from dangerous hillsides. Safety must come first,” she said.
