Uganda 'to move half a million'

Kampala, 09 March-(ANA)-Half a million people will need to be moved from their homes in mountainous areas of Uganda because of the risk of mudslides, the government has said.

Hundreds are believed to have died last week when mud enveloped communities on the slopes of Mount Elgon, in the east.

The government said some 200,000 people living in the west, near the Ruwenzori mountains, would be among those who should be relocated.

A minister said the deadly mudslides were a "wake-up call".

"The total population at risk of landslides and floods is estimated to be 500,000," said Musa Ecweru, minister for disaster preparedness.

He said he was convinced that much of the area in the east of the country, on the slopes of Mount Elgon about 275km (170 miles) north-east of the capital Kampala, was too dangerous to live in.(ANA)

FA/ANA/09 March 2010-----