Country on high alert for cholera outbreak

But he warned that the contaminated water could also cause widespread diarrhea and confirmed yesterday that 20 children have already been admitted with the intestinal problems.

On Thursday, the Red Cross distributed 900 emergency kits to families displaced in Bududa. Each package included 100 water purification tablets, which can clean 2,000 litres of water.

Kabale floods
Meanwhile floods continue to cause havoc with torrential rains reported across the country with Butaleja and Kabale districts pressing the panic button for urgent help.

In Butaleja, the floods have left the Mbale- Busolwa Road impassable.
Three primary schools; Doho, Namehere and Wangale have been closed.
“Fortunately, we haven’t lost any life but all gardens have been destroyed together with peoples’ homes,” area MP Emmanuel Dombo told this newspaper by phone from the area.

In Kabale, a road connecting Katuna and Rubaya has been washed away.
“Over 1,000 people are now homeless. The government is trying to run to our rescue,” area MP David Bahati told Saturday Monitor.

The affected villages are; Mayengo, Kamuganguzi and Kyasano, all in Ndorwa County.
The government is currently registering the number of villagers who are being forced to leave the mountain area but Mr Kagwa has estimated that the health centres may have to cater for as many as 5,000 displaced people.

Additional reporting by Sheila Naturinda in Kampala, Robert Muhereza & Uwera Runyambo in Kabale