Red Cross seeks help for Uganda landslide

Kampala, 04 March-(ANA)-Uganda's Red Cross has launched an appeal to help survivors of mudslides which swept away three villages near the eastern town of Bududa.

More than 80 bodies have been recovered from the mud which engulfed villages on the slopes of Mount Elgon.

At least 250 people are still missing. The Red Cross says it needs shelters, blankets and psychological support.

In one village, eyewitnesses said schoolchildren took shelter in a health centre later engulfed by the mud.

Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, visited the area on Wednesday.

Arriving by helicopter, he said the mudslide was partly due to the loss of tree cover.

He criticised local residents for settling on a floodplain, saying the disaster could be partially blamed on local farmers who had stripped the land of vegetation which would have protected it from heavy rainfall.

Army helicopters have begun evacuating residents from affected villages. (ANA)

FA/ANA/04 March 2010-----