Landslides displace families in Kasese

22 November 2025, 3:14 pm

By Kaguta Joel

Sipirina Basona, a resident of Kathoma Village in Mbunga Subcounty, Kasese District, has been displaced by disasters and is facing a complex set of vulnerabilities.

The 49-year-old explained that the torrential rains in September 2025 left her and her dependents without what they once called a home.

Basona, widowed for more than fifteen years, said that her family’s primary source of income and land were destroyed in just an hour of heavy rainfall.

According to Basona, she, her children, and grandchildren have been left without the means to recover from the disaster.

Kasese District has, for the past 12 years, experienced devastating disasters, including floods, landslides, droughts, and prolonged dry spells.

The effects of these disasters have had severe consequences for the population, with women and children bearing the heaviest burden.

Basona is now a vivid example of a widow displaced after the upper wall of her four-room permanent house was destroyed by a massive landslide.

Ms Ruth Biira, the Subcounty Chairperson, said that within a span of two weeks, more than 15 houses have been destroyed by landslides, forcing the occupants to stay with relatives.

According to Biira, the affected families are experiencing the trauma of displacement. For Basona, widowhood and the lack of privacy are contributing to mental health issues such as distress and anxiety.

Our reporter covering the story observed that crisis counselling and trauma support are urgently needed to help survivors cope with their loss and displacement, as emotional and mental well-being is vital for resilience and long-term recovery. As of late 2025, no specific figures are available on the number of widows displaced by disasters in Uganda.