2022 Kasese District landslides
| Date | 6–7 September 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | Kasika village, Busongora South County, Kasese District, Uganda |
| Cause | Heavy rainfall |
| Deaths | 15-16 |
| Property damage | Multiple homes destroyed |
The 2022 Kasese District landslides were a series of deadly landslides that occurred on the night of 6–7 September 2022 in the Kasese District of Uganda.[1] The landslides resulted in the deaths of 15 to 16 people, with most victims being women and children.[1][2][3]
Background
Kasese District, located in western Uganda, is characterized by hilly terrain that makes it particularly vulnerable to landslides during periods of heavy rainfall.[4] The area's remote location and steep slopes, combined with deforestation and agricultural practices, contribute to soil instability and increased landslide risk.[5]
The disaster
On the night of 6 September 2022, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in the mountainous areas of Kasese District.[1] The most severely affected area was Kasika village in Busongora South County, where over 10 people were confirmed dead.[4] The landslides occurred during nighttime hours, catching residents while they were sleeping and limiting their ability to escape.[4]
The Uganda Red Cross Society confirmed the casualties and coordinated rescue efforts to retrieve additional bodies from the debris.[4] The majority of deaths were mothers and children. At least 18 people were declared missing and at least 7 injured and taken to hospital.[6][7] Recovery operations continued for several days following the initial disaster as search teams worked to locate missing persons and assess the full extent of the damage. After the tragedy, plans were underway that same afternoon to transfer the bodies to Kasika primary school for postmortems and burial arrangements.[8]
Impact
The landslides destroyed multiple homes and displaced numerous families in the affected areas.[1][9][10] Most of the fatalities were women and children, reflecting the vulnerability of these populations during the nighttime disaster.[11] The remote location of the affected villages complicated rescue and recovery efforts, requiring coordination between multiple agencies and organizations.[12][13]
Response
The Uganda Red Cross Society led the immediate response efforts, providing emergency assistance and coordinating body recovery operations.[4] Local authorities worked with national agencies to assess the damage and provide support to affected communities. The disaster highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of mountainous regions in Uganda to landslide events, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.[10]
Context
The 2022 landslides were part of a pattern of recurring natural disasters in Kasese District. The area has experienced multiple flooding and landslide events over the years, with previous incidents recorded in 2021 and 2023.[14]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "At least 16 dead as heavy rains trigger landslides in Uganda". CNN. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Kazibwe, Kenneth (7 September 2022). "Uganda: Kasese Landslide Death Toll Rises to 15". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Heavy rains trigger landslides in Uganda, killing least 15, Reuters, 7 September 2022, archived from the original on 7 September 2022, retrieved 7 September 2022
- ^ a b c d e "Uganda – 15 Killed in Massive Landslide in Kasese". FloodList. September 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Reforestation in Kasese, Uganda". Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Kasese landslides kill 10, 18 others still missing". kfm.co.ug. 7 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "15 people perish in fresh Kasese landslides". eagle.co.ug. 7 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Kasese deadly landslide death toll rises to 15". kaseseguideradio.com. 7 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "15 perish in fresh Kasese landslides. Uganda Redcross society has confirmed". babatv.co.ug. 7 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Children among 15 dead in Uganda landslide". ewn.co.za. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Republic, Matooke (7 September 2022). "Kasese landslides kill 15, and 18 others still missing". matookerepublic.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Muhumuza, Rodney (7 September 2022). "Red Cross: Landslide kills 15 in remote Uganda district". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Muhumuza, Rodney (7 September 2022). "Red Cross: Landslide kills 15 in remote Uganda district". WKMG. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Updated: Uganda – Deadly Floods and Landslides in Kasese, Mbale and Rukungiri". floodlist.com. FloodList. April 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2025.