Floods displace hundreds in Butaleja district
BUTALEJA, April 5, 2024 – Floods have hit Butaleja district, destroying properties worth millions of shillings and displaced residents.
The most affected sub-counties include Himutu, Butaleja, Mazimasa, Butaleja Town Council.
Travellers were seen stranded at Nakwasi Bridge and Manafwa Bridge, respectively after floods cut off Mbale-Butaleja Road this week.
The floods were triggered by the heavy rain that has been pounding the area, causing Nakwasi and Manafwa rivers to burst their banks and spill into the neighbouring communities hence displacing hundreds of residents.
The passengers and other road users, including school children, were also seen on Thursday stranded at Manafwa and Leresi bridges in Butaleja Town Council due to flooding.
Tom Wandera, the Butaleja District Environment officer, said the floods have affected schools such as Namulo, Bugombe, Leresi, Doho, Kanyenya, and Nakwasi Seed Secondary School.
“The floods have destroyed crops, rice milling machines, rice stores and other properties. We have started an assessment to establish the damage. We request the government to intervene, ” Wandera said.
Abdu Shema Swamadu, headteacher of Doho Primary School, said they have temporarily closed the school due to floods.
“We have sent back the children home because the whole compound and classrooms have water. The school gardens have also been destroyed,” Shema said.
Harriet Namusango, a teacher, said floods that ravaged the area have left hundreds of people displaced.
She said people don’t have where to sleep and have no food.
The police have now limited the movement of people along the Butaleja-Mbale Road.
Michael Higenyi Bory, the Butaleja district LCV Chairman, appealed to government to send relief items to the affected people.
“We request the government to quicken the construction of a water reservoir which can help control the water force,” Higenyi said.
District officials say the flood water that has caused havoc comes mainly from Mt Elgon region and ends up in Butaleja district due to its low altitude.
Fred Malwa, a resident said people who cannot swim have resorted to hiring men to carry them across flooded road sections.
“This has greatly affected us. We have suspended our businesses because of the current state of the road,” she said, adding that it’s costly for them to use Mbale-Budaka-Butaleja Road to transport merchandise.
https://thecooperator.news/butaleja-rice-farmers-urged-to-join-saccos/
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