Floods hit Kasese as river Mubuku, Nyamwamba burst banks

Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A heavy downpour has left houses flooded and crop gardens destroyed by running water that swept through parts of Kasese district.

The rains that started on Wednesday night brought panic amongst residents and area leaders as sections of Nyamwamba, Mubuku and Nyamugasani rivers also burst their banks. The road connecting Kasese municipality to Kilembe remains cut-off. The most affected areas include Kyanjiki, Nyamwamba and parts of Kanyangeya in Kasese municipality.

Eliza Kabugho, a farmer in Katonzi village says she has lost more than two acres of her crop gardens including tomatoes, eggplants and cabbage. Kabugo who expected to get more than two million Shillings from harvests this season is appealing for help from the government.

Hanington Munyanza, the chairperson of Nyamuhuga South village in Kilembe says two families are stuck with bodies of their relatives after failing to cross to Katiri and Buhunga parishes in Bulembia division. He says no vehicle can cross into the area after river Nyamwamba cut-off part of the road.

John Musinguzi, a resident of Kilembe says the main road connecting their area to Kasese town has been disconnected disrupting business. He says farmers and other traders from the area have been unable to cross to markets adding that patients are also stuck.

Kilembe Mines Hospital senior administrator Sr. Teopista Basemera told URN that some of the hospital staff from Kilembe are stuck in their homes.

Gloria Kahunde, one of the affected residents is asking government to resettle them to a safer place with anticipation of more rains. Her family house and those of neighbours have been submerged.

Sunday Selivera, the councillor representing Nyakabingo ward in Kilembe sub county says communities in the ward have been disconnected by floods and appeals for help to evacuate the trapped households as water volumes in the Nyamwamba river continue to increase.

Kasese RDC Joe Walusimbi told URN on Thursday that while they were making assessments to establish the number of affected persons, they are also mobilizing those within the river catchment areas to vacate to nearby worship places or join relatives elsewhere.

In May last year, major rivers in the district burst their banks after it rained heavily leaving more than 10,000 people displaced and many properties destroyed.

*****

URN