Hundreds displaced as floods ravage Butaleja
Hundreds of people, who have been left homeless, have sought refuge at schools and churches. PHOTO BY YAHUDU KITUNZI
What you need to know:
LC3 Chairperson, Himutu Sub County, Mr Fabiano Higenyi said although some of the affected families have sought refuge at schools and churches, many others are being hosted by neighbours and relatives. He advised those living at schools and churches to avoid taking dirty water.
Over 12,000 residents of Butaleja District are living in dire conditions after floods washed away some of the houses and crops.
At least 1000 houses were submerged and household items such as clothes, beddings, animals and crops, were washed away by the floods following the Tuesday downpour. The most affected are residents of Himutu and Mazimasa sub-counties.
Hundreds of people, who have been left homeless, have sought refuge at schools and churches.
When this reporter visited the area on Thursday, about 200 people had taken refuge at Bugombe Primary school and Bugombe Pentecostal church in Masulula B Village, Himutu Sub County, while over 50 people had taken refuge at Doho Primary School in Mazimasa Sub County.
Most of them were wandering without food, shelter, clothing, and mosquito nets among other necessities. Ms Zaituna Bulange, a resident of Masulula B Village, said they are finding it hard to live because they now own nothing.
“I got a loan of Shs4 million from the Bank to grow tomatoes and now floods have destroyed everything. I don’t know what will happen to me. We request government to help us with relief items because we are now sleeping hungry,” she said.
The Himutu Sub County representative to the district, Ms Justine Mwima, said the affected families need urgent help.
“Government should pay attention to our people who have been displaced by floods. They need food, beddings, shelters, medicine among others,” she said, adding that the flooding has also devastated many roads in the district making them impassable.
“The Mbale-Butaleja main road, which is the main link between the two districts, has been cut off by floods for now two days. We request our government to take all these roads as an emergency. We cannot access the district headquarters or Mbale town,” Ms Mwima said.
LC3 Chairperson, Himutu Sub County, Mr Fabiano Higenyi said although some of the affected families have sought refuge at schools and churches, many others are being hosted by neighbours and relatives. He advised those living at schools and churches to avoid taking dirty water.
The Butaleja RDC, Mr Jimmy Segawa Ebil, said he has already reported the disaster to Office of Prime Minister (OPM).
“My assessment indicates that about 12,000 people are greatly affected by floods in the district. Several houses were submerged, toilets washed away, which puts the resident at the risk of contracting waterborne diseases,” he said.
