Kampala — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has directed the army not to leave Namashate parish in Bududa district until all bodies buried by a landslide one week ago have been recovered.

"I have got a directive from the President that we continue excavation until all bodies have been retrieved," Maj. Gen. Julius Oketta, the director of emergency relief coordination and evacuation in the office of the Prime Minister, said yesterday.

"The President has also directed the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, together with the district engineers, to get all bulldozers in the district to open up the road to the site so that equipment can be taken to help in the excavation of bodies. UPDF is there until all bodies are retrieved," Oketta said.

The landslide on the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda that was set off by heavy rains, ruined three villages, Nametsi, Kubehwo and Namakansa. It is estimated that 350 people are buried under the soggy ground.

The area is remote and can only be accessed on foot. Vehicles are parked at a distance of more than 10 kilometers away from the site.

Rescue workers trek to the scene through steep, winding and slippery paths on the slopes of the mountain.

Oketta said two bodies were retrieved on Saturday, bringing the number to 83.

"The two bodies were completely decomposed; one without the head and another missing an arm. Even picking them became a problem."

He, however, said the problems would not deter the UPDF from continuing the rescue operation. He added that precautions would be taken by using heavy duty gloves and rotating the soldiers who might get affected by the stench.

"The local leaders say 365 people were lost. We have not reached even half. We shall continue until the civil leadership tells us to stop," Oketta stated.

He made the remarks during a meeting of district leaders and representatives of aid agencies that assembled in Bududa.

The consultative meeting at the district headquarters was chaired by the boss of the district disaster management committee, Vitalis Oswal, who is also the chief administrative officer (CAO).

The district chairman, Wilson Watira, and the resident district commissioner, Wanjusi Wasieba, attended.

In a related development, three people were arrested for stealing relief items meant for the people displaced by the landslide.

Malachi Mujema, the Bukalasi sub-county chief, Lorna Nabulo, the Nabulalo parish councillor, and James Nabende, the Namashete parish councillor, were arrested by Bukalasi residents and handed over to the Police.

The residents became angry that while distribution of relief items had not yet started, the suspects were helping themselves. They were nabbed with "good quality" blankets, according to residents.

The Police has now deployed heavily in the areas designated for IDP camps.

The eastern region Police commander, Joel Aguma, said roadblocks would be erected so that people who enter and leave the camps are checked.

Wasieba warned people coordinating relief aid against diverting items and corrupt tendencies.

"Those who were arrested should serve as an example to the rest. When you divert relief, you face the law," Wasieba commented.

The incident came after humanitarian organisations voiced anguish at the red tape and politicking in the district by local leaders that delayed commencement of their work.

Representatives of the major agencies, Uganda Red Cross, UNICEF, UNDP-OCHA, World Food Programme, Save the Children and World Vision, complained that their intervention was being hampered by confusion over the designation of venues for camps, interference by politicians and lack of a streamlined process.

"We discuss something and the following day something else is being implemented. Some UN agencies even wanted to go away," Joyce Achom from WFP told the consultative meeting.

"There are people who don't have a place to sleep. Since we arrived, we have not started our work. We feel frustrated that, as humanitarian agencies, we have not done anything. People will start dying and what shall we tell the world?" she wondered.

Patrick Okuni from UNICEF wondered why LCI officials stopped the construction of a pit- latrine near the IDP camps.

"A toilet is key in sanitation of a settlement. The local bickering should stop. Some should prevail upon the politicians. It is frustrating."

Okuni also pointed out that UNICEF had brought water tanks but had failed to get a place to install them.

The district disaster management committee is supposed to receive all relief aid and coordinate the operations of humanitarian agencies.

Bududa disaster committee picked the Uganda Red Cross as the lead implementing agency in the distribution of food and non-food items.

The CAO, who heads the committee, and the district chairman said the aid agencies' concerns would be looked into and relief operations harmonised.

"We are entering a campaign period. Some people want to be seen to take a lead in the relief distribution," Watira said.