Earthquake leaves masses in Rakai homeless

More than 300 families are sleeping in the open following Saturday's earthquake that hit the Lake Victoria Basin region.  The 5.7 magnitude tremor caused massive destruction of property in Bukoba, Tanzania and parts of Uganda.

In Tanzania, at least ten people were confirmed dead after their houses caved in burying them in the rubble. A similar incident was recorded in Kibanda Sub County, Rakai district where four people, from the same family died.

The earthquake devastated the areas of Kasensero, Kanabulemu, Minziiro, Mutukula, Kifamba, Kabonera and Kakuuto in Rakai district. Most of the damage was recorded in Kyebe, Kakuuto and Kibanda sub counties. The areas lie 30 kilometers away from Nsunga, Tanzania, the epicenter of the earthquake.

When Uganda Radio Network visited the community, many of the affected individuals were moving their bedding from the shattered structures.  Some of them have erected temporally tents while others are sleeping under trees.

Alexander Mugomero, the Officer in Charge of Minziro Police Post says over 200 houses were destroyed in his area. He adds that they have registered at least 300 families whose houses were completely destroyed, while several others developed huge cracks.

Miria Nanyonjo, a mother of five children is currently sleeping under a tree after her house was destroyed during the earthquake. She says she also sustained minor injuries while trying to escape the falling debris.

68-year-old Muddu Kilibbi sustained injuries when he was hit by rubble while trying to run out of the house. Muddu narrates that outside the house, huge stones from the nearby hills were also rolling down after the quake.

Muddu, his wife and their daughter, with a newborn baby are currently stranded at Katera without accommodation.

Francis Mugumya, the Officer in Charge of Kateera Police Post located in Kyebe Sub County, Rakai district narrates that four officers from Kateera Police Post were hit while trying to run for safety from a collapsing buildings. They have joined the community now gathered in an open space for lack of accommodation.

Uganda Radio Network Reporters also visited Misenyi district in neighboring Tanzania and found thousands of people stranded in trading centers after their houses were devastated by the earthquake.

-URN