Government issues floods warning

Kampala

The government on Thursday issued a floods warning indicating that several other areas face imminent danger as more bodies were being pulled out from the mud after Monday’s landslide in Bududa District.

Two survivors, pulled out of the mire died of injuries at Mbale Hospital yesterday. The total death toll remains dodgy even though official figures by the government say 92 people have perished.

As officials from the meteorology department warned of the looming danger in the other parts of the country, reports from Butaleja District indicated that as many as 37,000 people had been displaced already.

West at risk
While reports from Kabarole District and Kasese in western Uganda showed bridges swept away by the torrential rains that experts say were only bound to increase.

“There are high chances that flooding will once again occur in flood-prone areas of central, eastern and western Uganda.
The communities are advised to shift to higher grounds to avoid flood-prone low lying areas,” a statement released from the Media Centre warned.

The government was also moving to coordinate its work better with Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere, Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko and Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Minister, who is also Member of Parliament representing the affected people, David Wakikona, sending similar warning messages at various points.

Looming disasters
“Other disasters may arise from possible landslides mostly in the mountainous regions of western, south-western and eastern (Mt. Elgon areas) Uganda with strong gusty winds, hailstorms, lightening among others.

He said Appropriate measures should be taken to avoid loss of life and destruction of infrastructure.

“In case local communities are displaced by floods, those responsible for relief are advised to prepare for possible flooding in the high-risk region,” he added.

Mr Wakikona said an estimated 4,000 people in the affected villages of Nametsi and its environs are to be relocated immediately. He said another 15,000 in danger will also need evacuation until the level of threat subsides.

But as the government officials spoke about the rescue efforts in Bududa, concerns for other regions was taking centre stage among leaders shocked by the extent and suddenness of the Monday incident.

Officials said flooding in Butaleja District had increased after five days of heavy rains.

River Manafwa had burst its banks at several points rendering an estimated 37,000 people homeless.

The river which flows through Bududa, Manafwa, Tororo and Mbale districts from Mt Elgon was reported to have swollen three times its size.

Butaleja District Chairman Richard Waya says the extent of the flood damage is still unknown because most places are inaccessible.

The Resident District Commsioner, Mr Edward Wabudi, says the district has since received negligible amounts of relief. He said only 120 bags of maize flour was sent by the government.
Ms Mary Kaweesi, one of the flood victims, says this is insufficient to meet the great demand for food.

Prof. Kabwegyere said the worst was not yet over, “I have warned everybody especially people living around hills and mountains that the rains are excessive,” he said.

He added: “I have also received information from Kabale that they have experienced landslides. People should always be alert and inform the government in time.

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati said landslides were reported in Kamuganguzi Sub-county in his constituency, washing away crops and property.

“Animals have been displaced from the grazing grounds; some roads have been washed away as well as a lot of crops in four parishes,” he said.

“We appeal to the government to come to our rescue to support the families that have lost their property.”

Prof. Kabwegyere singled out the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese, Hoima and Kapchorwa as landslide-prone areas. But the minister said the government was working without any reserve fund for relief responses.

No budget
“There is no budget from the government yet,” he admitted. “In a moving situation, you cannot have a budget that can solve the crisis immediately but we are addressing the situation.”

Earlier in the day, ruling party lawmakers moved to the rescue of bereaved families in hard-hit areas, and passed a resolution compelling all MPs to contribute Shs100, 000 each to the aid of eastern Uganda. A source that attended the closed sitting of the NRM Caucus said the MPs also agreed that cabinet ministers would make a Shs200,000 contribution each.

It is understood that the rehabilitation of the landslide-stricken area will require between Shs30 billion to Shs35 billion.

The Prime Minister, Prof Apolo Nsibambi will visit the area today.