The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has suspended use of the Kabale-Kisoro road in Hamurwa sub-county, Rubanda district, after a section of it caved in at Bwaara village on Thursday following heavy rain.
As UNRA worked on the road, it urged road users to use the Kabale – Katuna – Rubaya – Muko road (88 km) for travelers heading to Kisoro and vice versa from Kisoro to Kabale.
“Alternatively, road users can use Kabale – Lake Bunyonyi road, drive along the road for approximately 4Km up to the Kachwekano junction, then turn right at Kachwekano-Kagarama through Rubona to Hisesero/Muko (20Km). From Muko, motorists can then drive along the existing road (Kabale-Kisoro Highway) to Kisoro,” UNRA said in a statement.
“We continue to appeal to road users across the country to take precaution, avoid using flooded areas for their safety, and report flooding incidents for emergency action,” they added.
The road is a crucial link connecting Uganda to neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
Despite the risk posed by the damaged road, some drivers of buses and trucks attempted to cross in the afternoon hours.
This comes after the death toll from the mudslides that have ravaged Kigezi region in western Uganda rose to 18 on Wednesday. Mudslides hit the region following heavy a downpour that started on Tuesday night till Wednesday morning.
Six people died in Biizi and Gihuyaga villages in Murora sub-county, three in Kashyambya and Rwamucucu sub-counties in Rukiga district, and three others in Rubanda district.
On Wednesday, the bodies of three people; Kevin Ahereza, 2, Vastinah Perceiver, 7, and Jeninah Twikiriize, 36 all residents of Rwamahano village in Ikamiro Muko sub-county, in Rubanda district were recovered by residents.
The heavy rains have also caused loss of lives in neighbouring Rwanda specifically in Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, and Karongi districts in Western and Northern provinces and the death toll there has reached 109, according to Rwanda’s ministry in Charge of Emergency Management.
