EDITOR
Residents of Nshanjare Town Council in Rubanda District are counting heavy losses after devastating landslides triggered by heavy rains destroyed homes, crop gardens, and several roads across the area.
The disaster occurred on Sunday night when heavy rainfall caused mudslides and fast-moving water that swept through several villages, leaving widespread destruction and cutting off access to essential services.
According to Amos Byaruhanga, the Speaker of Nshanjare Town Council and the LC V Councillor representing the area, the landslides affected all the 18 villages in the town council, with crop gardens washed away and several homes damaged.
Byaruhanga noted that the most affected villages include Kivunga, Mushunga, Butabonana, Kagogo, Kabaya, Ryamihanda, Ihunga, Kiriba, Nshanjare, Mengo and Mashoho cells.
He added that several roads including the Nshanjare–Kivunga road, Nshanjare–Ihunga road, Nshanjare–Mashoho road and Nshanjare–Kagogo road have been severely damaged and are currently impassable.
The landslides also claimed the life of one resident, identified as Twinomujuni Deus from Bisizi Cell in Kivunga Ward.
Byaruhanga explained that the deceased was struck by a mudslide mixed with running water during the heavy downpour on Sunday night.
“The deceased was hit by a mudslide with strong running water during the heavy rains on Sunday night. His lifeless body was later discovered in a garden downstream,” Byaruhanga said.
Several roads in the area were destroyed by the landslides, cutting off residents from accessing essential services such as markets and health facilities.
Byaruhanga has appealed to government leaders and relevant authorities to urgently intervene and support the affected communities, particularly by reopening the damaged roads to restore transport and movement.
“We call upon government leaders to come in and assist the residents, especially in reopening the roads so that people can access basic facilities like markets,” he added.
The late Twinomujuni Deus is survived by his wife and one child. He will be laid to rest today Tuesday 10th March 2026 at his ancestral home in Nshanjare Town Council.
