David Mafabi
21 March 2011
Kampala — At least 8,000 people living near Mt. Elgon are at risk after Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) warned of another looming landslide as the country heads for another rainy period.
The Mt. Elgon Conservation Area Manager, Mr Adonia Bintorwa, said a 40-kilometre crack has developed on the slopes of the mountain in Manafwa District.
“Many of these cracks are widening before the rainy season starts fully, this is a sign of an environment catastrophe,” Mr Bintorwa said on Saturday.
Mr Bintorwa said eight sub-counties of Mukoto, Tsekululu, Buwabwala, Bukhabusi, Bupoto, Namabya, Bumbo and Bukokho in Manafwa and parts of Bududa, risk another landslide due to massive deforestation, poor farming methods and encroachment on Mt. Elgon.
“Our appeal is that people living beyond the 1993 boundary should relocate,” he added. He said UWA has written to the National Environmental Management Authority, Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Ministry of Water and Environment to come to the ground to assess the situation.
The Mt. Elgon Conservation officer, Mr Richard Matanda, said research by UWA and satellite images reveal that more heavily-cultivated land in the uppermost parts of the mountain is on the verge of sliding.
“We have seen cracks [on the land] and in some points they are 1.5 metres deep. Once heavy rains pound these places, then debris flow is inevitable and disaster will definitely occur,” said Mr Matanda.
He said UWA has already started education programmes for people living on mountainous areas on the dangers of cultivation along contours.
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Uganda: Looming Landslide Threatens 8,000, Says Govt