The number of people displaced by Lake Kyoga reaches 3000

Nakasongola, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 3000 people in Lwampanga sub county in Nakasongola district have been displaced from their homes as a result of flooding from Lake Kyoga because of increased water levels.

The affected people are from Kikoyiro, Kibuye, Munami, Zengebe, Kabashombwa,Kitalaganya, Kityoba and Kyebisire villages in Lwampanga sub county. The displaced people have taken refuge in churches, mosques, schools under trees and friends’ homes located on higher grounds.

The water has also submerged the docking pier of MV Kyoga at Zengebe landing site, maternity ward at Lwampanga health center and Moni police post among others. George William Lubega, the Lwampanga sub county LC 3 chairperson explains that the water from Lake Kyoga has submerged several homes forcing over 3000 residents to flee for their lives.

He says the number of displaced persons is likely to increase as the water levels continue rising.

Dan Bukenya, a resident of Zengebe landing site says about 200 people have taken refuge at Zengebe Primary School which exposes them to infection. At Munami village, the affected residents are battling diarrhea and cholera after drinking contaminated water.

Yusuf Muyingo, the Munami Village Production Secretary says over 80 residents are now sleeping in a community hall after failing to get anywhere to go. He however says the residents lack toilet facilities since the available one was submerged by water.

Mariam Nabutaka, the Lwampanga sub county LC V female councilor says water is closing in on areas where residents have taken refuge. Nabutaka says the affected people are also in need of urgent food relief because their crops were submerged.

At team of officials from Uganda National Roads Authority is already at Zengebe landing site to try and clear the docking pier. On Thursday, the Environment State Minister Beatrice Atim Anywar visited some of the affected areas and ordered LC 1 chairpersons to work with security officials to evacuate the displaced residents.

Recently, the Energy and Mineral Development Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu who is also an environmentalist warned that residents around Lake Kyoga will be affected as most of the water released from Karuma dam is likely to end there. Kitutu revealed that Karuma dam is releasing 950 cubic meters per second which ends up in Lake Kyoga that is downstream.

She asked the Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Ministry to plan for the affected communities. Hundreds of people on landing sites in Masaka, Buvuma, Mayuge, Jinja, Buikwe and Wakiso districts are also displaced from their homes because of a surge of water volumes in Lake Victoria. Several people on Lake Albert shores have also been displaced because of increased water volumes.

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