KIGALI - The Government of Rwanda, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, sent condolences to Uganda following a landslide that claimed over 100 lives on Tuesday.

The landslides occurred in Eastern Uganda at the feet of Mountain Elgon, leaving at least three villages buried in mud.

"My government has expressed sincere condolences to all families whose relatives lost their lives as well as the government of Uganda,” Mushikiwabo told Journalists in Kampala yesterday.

She said that was done in the spirit of the existing solidarity between the two neighbouring countries.

Mushikiwabo reiterated that a few years ago, Rwanda went through a similar catastrophe in the landslides that devastated mainly the Western Province but added that the government has embarked on a program that will ensure that this does not reoccur.

"We have experienced this disaster, especially in northern and western part of our country, but we have tried to prevent it through possible measures like planting trees on hilly areas to avoid the catastrophe,” she told reporters.

The minister then called upon all East African countries to be vigilant and take measures to prevent landslides in the region.

"It’s very important to be observant of our environment while we protect the lives of our people in the East African Community,” Mushikiwabo said.

The Foreign Affairs minister is in Uganda to attend the Joint Permanent Commission meeting between Rwanda and Uganda.

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