Thousands of Ugandans relocated because of mudslides

Hong Kong News.Net
Monday 8th March, 2010

Uganda has told 300,000 people living on the slopes of Mount Elgon they will be immediately moved because of the risk of mudslides.

Last week, homes, schools and villages were swallowed by fast-moving walls of mud.

Another 200,000 people living in the west, near the Ruwenzori mountains, are also expected to be told that they will also be forced from their homes for their own safety.

The government has said the measures have been taken following the deaths of the people who died last week when mud enveloped communities on the slopes of Mount Elgon.

The deadly mudslides have been a call for the government to relocate the people before there is a repeat of the disaster in dangerous areas to the east of the country.

Uganda has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, causing trees to be felled on mountainsides as people make way for houses and agriculture, leading to erosion and mudslides.

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