The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has tasked the Government prioritize the plight of Ugandans who are affected by floods and also put in place measures to mitigate floods in Uganda’s lowlands while considering watershed management, Flood-resistant infrastructure, Early warning systems, Climate-smart agriculture and community education.
This comes as thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds of homes destroyed by the floods, food crops and plantations gardens submerged which have also caused significant damage to infrastructure while the government has been very slow in providing relief supplies and assistance to affected communities, leading to frustration and anger among many affected areas.
“These strategies will help protect and restore wetlands, forests, and water sources to reduce runoff and absorb excess water. The flood-resistant infrastructure will lead to building flood-resistant homes, roads, and bridges to minimize damage,” FDC wrote in a statement.
FDC added that the government should also implement policies that prioritize flood risk management and climate change adaptation. And more so promote farming practices that adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce soil erosion.
Last week, heavy rainfall caused devastating mudslides in Kasese and Bunyangabu Districts in Western Uganda.
FDC noted that the mudslides have resulted into the tragic death of 7 people and displaced hundred from their homes. The victims were mostly women and children. Four women from the same family in Bunyangabu’s Buruma village Katebwa Sub county lost their lives when their house was completely buried by mudslide.
However, 2 weeks ago, heavy rains and hailstorm devastated the people of Kituntu Sub county and Kayabwe Town Council all in Mpigi District, where two children from the same household lost their lives as a result of the heavy rains and hailstorm that blew off rooftop of the house.
Equally, in Kalungu District, two weeks ago, heavy rains destroyed people’s houses, several acres of farm land leaving several crop gardens submerged and roads and bridges were washed away. Areas that were affected are; Nabutongwa, Lwabenge, Lukaya Town Council among others.
In Dokolo District, two weeks ago, torrential rains, coupled with the high rising levels of water from Lake Kwania are causing havoc in sub counties of Adeknino, Kwera,Kanga, Okwongdul and Agwata Town Councils where hundreds of people living on shores of Lake Kwania were displaced by floods. Some roads in the area are impassable while many people have abandoned their farm land.
“We in the FDC commiserate with the families of Ugandans who were affected especially those who lost their lives in the countrywide mudslide. We are concerned with the way the Government is handling the recent floods in different parts of the country,” FDC noted.
The party added, “The government through the Office of Prime Minister being slow to respond to the disaster and failing to provide adequate support to affected communities. The government’s response to the floods has been inadequate and ineffective and that the President Museveni’s government has been “missing in action” during the crisis.”
FDC believes that the government is not doing enough to prevent the floods, despite warnings from meteorologists and other experts. Adding, “We in the FDC think that by Implementing these measures can help reduce the impact of floods in Uganda’s lowlands and protect communities and ecosystems.
