SERERE, November 4, 2025 — More than 250 farms have been left waterlogged following days of heavy rainfall in Serere district, with Kateta Sub-county reported as the worst affected area.
According to John Robert Odeke, the LCI Chairperson of Kateta Sub-county, Ocupe village has suffered the most damage. He said crops including potatoes, simsim, beans, maize, cassava, tomatoes, and sorghum have been destroyed by flooding.
Odeke appealed to the government to provide tarpaulins to help residents dry their cassava chips, most of which are rotting due to excessive moisture.
“So far, I have managed to assess 280 gardens, yet there are 375 households in my village,” he said.
He further urged the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees to supply food and seeds to affected households, warning that food security in the district is at serious risk if no immediate action is taken.
Modesta Alote, a resident of Ocupe village, said she had lost ten gardens of maize, two of potatoes, one of beans, and four of cassava.
“I don’t know what else to do because even the pigs now have nowhere to sleep, and I have lost a lot,” she said, appealing to the government to support affected families with tarpaulins.
Another resident, Daniel Onyait from Omagara Parish in Kateta Sub-county, expressed concern that the flooding had rendered many people homeless.
“Our houses are filled with water. The damp conditions are making my children sick, and I fear we shall keep returning to the clinic due to complications from the cold and wet floors,” Onyait said.
Meanwhile, Charles Otai, the Chairperson of the PTA at Omagara Primary School, reported that several roads have been cut off, preventing children from Pingere and surrounding areas from accessing school.
When contacted, Serere District LCV Chairperson Stephen Ochola said he plans to visit the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage.
“I received a call from one of the residents, and I intend to visit them soon to see how best we can help,” Ochola stated.
As the rains continue, residents fear the worst is yet to come, warning that without urgent intervention, thousands could face homelessness, hunger, and potential disease outbreaks.
According to the Seasonal Rainfall Outlook for September to December 2025 over Uganda, the eastern parts of Kyoga Region which comprises districts of Pallisa, Butebo, Budaka, Kinuku, Bukedea, Kumi, Kalaki, Kaberamaido, Serere, and Soroti, the current rains were expected to continue, reaching the peak around late September to early October, wit cessation expected to occur around mid to late November.
https://thecooperator.news/local-communities-in-serere-receive-new-irrigation-scheme/
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