environment 8 June 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Namisindwa: Earth Cracks Force Over 50 Families to Flee Homes
Over 50 families in Namisindwa district have been displaced following the emergence of large earth cracks, accompanied by fears of an impending landslide disaster after days of heavy rainfall. Residents are seeking safer ground as the fissures widen. Source: https://observer.ug/news/over-50-families-flee-homes-as-fresh-massive-earth-cracks-emerge-in-namisindwa
Residents of Bupoto sub-county in Namisindwa district are facing an urgent crisis as new, massive earth cracks have appeared, forcing more than 50 families to abandon their homes. The alarming development occurred on Sunday after persistent heavy rains battered the region, leading to fears of a potential landslide.
The widened fissures have left many families with no option but to seek refuge elsewhere, fearing their homes are no longer secure. Alex Wambwa and Sarah Kituyi, among those displaced, are appealing to the government for immediate relocation of families situated in these high-risk zones.
This incident follows recent warnings from authorities about over 500 villages across multiple sub-counties and town councils being vulnerable to landslides and flooding. The district chairperson, Emma Bwayo, conducted an assessment of affected areas last week and has called for urgent government intervention to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
Local leaders are reiterating their appeals for emergency relief, evacuation strategies, and long-term solutions to protect the communities. The recurring landslides and flooding in Namisindwa are often attributed by experts to a combination of heavy rainfall, environmental degradation, and habitation in vulnerable terrains.