At least eight people were feared dead yesterday after floods and mudslides hit parts of Kasese District on the border points with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
River Lhubiriha in Mpondwe, Kasese district burst its banks on Thursday cutting off access to nearby communities.
The river is along the border with DRC.
Traffic between Uganda and DRC was also cut off after the main bridge was submerged by River Thaku, which separates the two countries.
River Thaku burst its banks at around 5am, forcing hundreds of residents to run for their lives.
Six of those feared dead are residents of Bughabirwa and Kanone villages in Kiraro Parish, Kitholhu Sub-county, while the other two are soldiers who were guarding crossing points on the border.
Sources close to the UPDF said one of the two soldiers was at one of the illegal crossing points about 3kms from the main bride while another soldier is from the Congolese army who was equally guarding his side of the border.
Two other UPDF soldiers were rescued and have been admitted to Bwera hospital in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council.
Brig Richard Karemire, the UPDF spokesperson, confirmed the incident, saying the army is on rescue mission.
“It is true one of our soldiers was washed away by the heavy waters. Rescue efforts continue,” Brig Karemire said without offering further details.
This is the second time in three weeks that the army is losing one of their own in floods. Another soldier was on May 8 killed when River Semuliki at the border with DRC in Bundibugyo District burst its banks.
