Bulambuli, Uganda – The Local Council leaders of Bulambuli District have made an urgent plea to the Divine Hearts Foundation for assistance in the wake of a devastating landslide that has claimed at least 35 lives and left 243 people missing. The disaster, triggered by days of heavy rainfall, swept through several villages, destroying homes and displacing hundreds.
Local Council 1 (LC1) and Local Council 5 (LC5) leaders in the affected areas are calling for immediate intervention, including relief supplies, medical assistance, and long-term support for the displaced families. Over 40 houses were destroyed, leaving survivors without shelter, food, or clean water.
“This tragedy is beyond our capacity to handle,” said an LC5 representative. “We are appealing to Divine Hearts Foundation to provide support in any form—be it medical aid, clean water solutions, or educational assistance for children who have lost their families and homes.”
The Ugandan Red Cross Society has been at the forefront of rescue efforts, reporting that six of the recovered bodies are children. Meanwhile, the military and police continue their search and recovery operations, but challenging terrain and ongoing rainfall complicate their efforts. Bridges, schools, and churches have also been damaged, further isolating affected communities.
In a statement, LC1 chairpersons highlighted the Foundation’s history of supporting vulnerable communities through education, water, and vocational programs. “Divine Hearts Foundation has always stood with the people in their darkest times. We trust they can play a key role in helping Bulambuli recover from this calamity,” one LC1 leader noted.
This is not the first time eastern Uganda has been struck by natural disasters. The mountainous terrain, while fertile for farming, is highly susceptible to landslides during heavy rains. The region experienced a similar tragedy in 2010, when a landslide in neighboring Bududa killed around 300 people.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and other government officials have called for heightened disaster preparedness, but leaders in Bulambuli stress the need for immediate, grassroots-level support to address the urgent needs of survivors.
The Divine Hearts Foundation, known for its programs in water sanitation and education, is well-positioned to aid the victims of the disaster. Local leaders are hopeful that the Foundation’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities will bring relief and hope to those affected by the tragedy.
“We believe in the power of partnerships,” said an LC5 leader. “Together with organizations like Divine Hearts Foundation, we can rebuild our communities and restore dignity to the lives of those who have lost everything.”
To support the victims of Bulambuli, donate to: https://divineheartsfoundation.betterworld.org/campaigns/bulambuli-land-slide-victims
Timothy Amanya
Communications officer
Divine Hearts Foundation
