Floods sweep away shops, homes in nine villages in Sironko

SIRONKO:
Residents of about nine villages in Buyobo Sub-county, Sironko District in Bugisu Sub-region have been left in distress after floods swept away their homes, farms and shops and other property.
This was after River Sonoli burst its banks following heavy downpour.
The rain that lasted for at least three hours started at 7pm in the night on Tuesday.

The Sub-county LC three chairperson Amon Googo, said nine villages along the river banks in Bumusi, Buyoola and Buweri were affected. Others include Nesome, Wosita lower, Bumusi B, Bunabahala.
According to Mr Googo, traders in Sonoli trading centre are counting loses after their merchandise worth millions of shillings were destroyed by the floods.
He fears that the area could be hit by famine.

"Floods washed several houses, gardens leaving locals in tears. I appeal to government to come to our rescue," he said.
The Sironko Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Herbert Wagama said a bridge connecting to Bumusi primary school was also washed away paralyzing transport.
"Crops, merchandise, animals and properties worth millions of shillings destroyed. We are worried about a possible outbreak of diseases like dysentery and cholera since most of the toilets were destroyed," Mr Wagama said.

He said the sub county is in the process of assessing the damage caused by floods.
He said residents are now taking contaminated merchandise like sugar, posho, wheat flour, rice and water.
Mr Jimmy Mafabi, a resident blamed the locals for continuously neglecting proper methods of farming like terracing and crop rotation in order to reduce the speed of running water.