BULIISA, November 8, 2024 — Several schools in Butiaba Town Council, Buliisa district, were left without students yesterday due to the devastating floods caused by rising water levels in Lake Albert. Among the schools affected are Butiaba Primary School, Butiaba Infants School, and Butiaba LC Primary School.
Musa Asaba, the LC III Chairperson of Butiaba Town Council, reported that multiple communities, including Magali, Kawaibanda, Triangle, Tugombili, Kigangaizi, Walukuba, Boma, Bugoigo, and Kamagongoro, have been severely affected by the floods.
Speaking in an interview, Asaba explained that many schools are underwater, forcing students to remain at home. He also highlighted the danger posed by hippos and crocodiles, which have entered the flooded residential areas from Lake Albert.
“The floods have displaced over 1,000 homes, forcing many residents to seek shelter in churches, schools, and temporary structures,” Asaba said. “Aquatic animals such as hippos and crocodiles have strayed into these areas, causing panic.”
He added that several domestic animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats have been killed or injured by the wild animals, raising fears for the safety of people living in these areas.
This is not the first time Butiaba has experienced such flooding; in 2020, similar floods displaced many people in the same region. Asaba expressed concern that the current situation could force the closure of schools due to the presence of dangerous animals in the area.
John Kyalisiima, a fisherman at Kamagongoro landing site, shared that parents are reluctant to send their children to school due to the threat of animal attacks.
Meanwhile, Wilfred Kugonza Magambo, the head teacher at Butiaba Primary School, said that the main road leading to the school has been submerged, further complicating learners’ access to the school.
James Kato, a resident of Magali landing site, noted that the fishing industry has also been severely impacted. Due to the flooding, fishermen are unable to catch silverfish [mukene] in Lake Albert, a key livelihood activity for the community.
Kato urged the government to acquire land in safer areas to relocate the affected residents, as the current settlements are prone to recurring floods.
Bashir Hangi, the Public Relations Officer of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), confirmed that hippos and crocodiles have moved into local communities due to the rising water levels in Lake Albert. Hangi also expressed concern about the risks to human safety, as previous incidents between 2022 and 2023 resulted in 10 deaths from hippo and crocodile attacks, seven from crocodiles, and three from hippos.
As the floods continue to ravage the area, residents remain on edge, anxious about the ongoing risks to both their livelihoods and their lives.
https://thecooperator.news/floods-displace-hundreds-in-butaleja-district/
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