The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 1,000 homes and crop gardens in 68 villages in Buyanga sub-county, Busia municipality have been submerged following an increase of water in Lumboka swamp.
The affected people are from Magale, Busembe East, Busembe West, Nasinjehe, Bumirambako, Buhalariire, Buhonge, Buyunda, Nanyoni in Buyanga sub-county and Solo A, Kisenyi A, Kisenyi B, Sikoka Basyan and Solo B among other villages.
Lumboka swamp drains it waters in Kibimba dam in Bugiri district. The affected residents attribute the increased water levels to heavy rains that have been pounding Busia district since October this year. Jackson Kisaka, Erineo Wafula and Pascal Wafula who were all affected by the water say they are likely to starve because their crops in the garden are rotten.
Wafula says his children are at risk of catching diseases due to coldness resulting from water oozing underground in his grass-thatched huts.
Juma Wafula, another resident says that it’s the first time for the area to receive such heavy rains since the late 1990’s.
Godfrey Cheyune, the Buyanga sub-county councilor says the affected families stay 5000 meters away from the swamp.
Geoffrey Wandera, the Busia LC V chairperson says that they have compiled a report and submitted it to the Office of the Prime Minister for intervention. He appeals to residents to avoid settling near wetlands.
Jimmy Ngolobe, the Busia district environmental officer has not yet commented as he couldn’t be reached on his known cellphone.
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