The death toll of the Mbale city flood victims has increased to 25 people. Ten more bodies have been recovered this morning from River Nabuyonga in Mbale City Industrial Division.
The floods were caused by a heavy downpour that lasted 11 hours from Saturday night to Sunday morning, causing the Nabuyonga and Namatala rivers to burst their banks.
The 10 were traveling in a super custom, which plunged into the river following the heavy rains that pounded the town on Saturday evening. According to report, the 10 were coming from an introduction ceremony from Kabwangasi sub-county in Butebo district from Kampala.
This brings to 25, the number of bodies recovered following the Saturday night disaster.
The car was discovered in River Nabuyonga near Townside High School.
Police, the Red Cross and the residents have teamed up to retrieve bodies and vehicles still in the water.
The Mbale City Resident Commissioner, Ahamda Washaki on Sunday told the Prime Minister that there were fears that many more people could have died from the floods and that their bodies are still in the water.
Among bodies retrieved today was also that of two Somalis who were discovered dead near IUIU. According to police all the retrieved bodies are being evacuated to the Mbale City mortuary
Reports from the rescue teams indicate that the death toll is likely to rise, with survivors saying that they spotted bodies going past them as they struggled to save their lives.
The Uganda Prime Minister Ms Robinah Nabanja who responded immediately said the disaster had been caused by environmental degradation.
by Susan Akidi and Mugondi Ronald
