Uganda: 60 school children feared dead


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Some 60 school children in Uganda are feared to be among those who perished in a landslide accident which occurred on Monday night in the Bududa district at the eastern part of the country.

Over 300 people are feared to have died in the landslide which covered the villages of Nametsi and Mukusi. The two villages are at the foot of a mountain.

According to the chairman of the district, Wilson Watira, 80 bodies have been recovered so far. “The number of bodies so far dug out of the mud is 80. The army, police and volunteers are working around the clock to ensure that more bodies are retrieved. Two of the bodies are for school children.

“60 students of Nametsi primary school were taking shelter from heavy rainfall in one of the buildings which was totally destroyed and covered by mud and rocks brought down by landslides. Their parents have testified that the children are nowhere to be seen. They are likely to have died,” Watira said.

Meanwhile Uganda’s president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today visited the village and warned people against living at the foot of landslide prone mountains. “You should not live against nature. If you continue cultivating the way you are doing at the sides of mountains we will continue getting such problems.”

Museveni pledged his government’s support to the relatives of the deceased although he did not specify how. He also said government will financially support the unfortunate school.

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