Famine, more disasters feared in the east
A type of wild fruit that people of Napak are forced to eat due to hunger. PHOTO BY Stephen Ariong
What you need to know:
The failed rains of April-May, followed by floods have left communities devastated yet experts warn of worse times to come
Reports from Butaleja and neighbouring districts indicate that the long dry spell in the eastern and north-east has left thousands in need of food aid. This situation has been made worse by the current floods that have ravaged several areas.
The torrential rains have in the past few weeks caused havoc after River Manafwa burst its bank causing floods in the low altitude Butaleja District, and leaving people displaced.
“The heavy rains are still pounding the prone district of Butaleja and devastating the entire road network-making it impossible to cross to either side of Mbale or Busolwe,” said Butaleja District chairperson Joseph Muyonjo.
The most affected sub-counties are Mazimasa and Himutu where several properties and crops have been destroyed.
There are other districts in eastern Uganda that have fallen into similar circumstances and these include, Nakapiripirit, Kabong, Bulambuli, Bududa, Tororo, Kwen, Kotido, Pallisa, Teso sub-region and Kapchorwa
Mr Muyongo said the two catastrophe floods and famine have severely hit Butaleja District and other districts because litte food was harvested due to the long dry spell coupled with torrential rains that recently destroyed the little acres of crops people had planted.
The Uganda Red Cross Society has estimated about 1,400 local families in Bulambuli and 1,294 households in Butaleja are in dire need of support due to the devastation by the floods and failure of the April-May rains.
State minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Echeru said government is doing everything possible to give assistance to the most affected areas as more logistics are being mobilised. He, however, noted that the biggest challenge is that people tend to sell all the produce, leaving nothing for home consumption.
Torrential rains and flooding could ultimately affect food security.
Looming disaster
Experts have warned of a deepening crack on Mt Elgon that runs 40km from River Lwakhakha on the Uganda-Kenya border through Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko and Kapchorwa districts putting many lives at risk as torrential rains continue pounding the entire region.
