Kasese residents lose property as River Nyamwamba bursts banks again

KASESE – Kasese district residents are counting losses after River Nyamwamba burst its banks again last week, washing away crops and destroying houses in Mahango and Rukoki sub-counties.

For several years, Kasese district has been prone to floods as a result of River Nyamwamba and others bursting their banks, leaving residents homeless and others dead.

According to Domisiano Muhindo, the vice chairperson LCI Buthalimuli village in Mahango Sub-county, River Nyamwamba burst its banks early forcing River Kyatsutsu also to flood, washing away crops, bee hives and fish ponds in the area.

“It’s not only River Nyamwamba and Kyatsutsu that flooded but also other three rivers which include Kasindi that connects Mahango and Nyakabingo sub-counties. This is a very big challenge to the people of this area because their movement has been made difficult,” he said.

The Kasese district environment officer, Augustine Kooli appealed to residents to be prepared for slightly heavy rains as predicated by weather forecasters.

“Uganda National Metrological Authority [UNMA] had projected low rains this season but it is projected to rain heavier in May this year,” he said.

He urged the locals to plant trees, saying they play a great role in mitigating effects of climate change, even though he said some of the tree seedlings meant for planting in the district were also washed by River Nyamwamba.

He urged the Uganda Ready Cross to be ready for any disasters in the area. “I call upon Uganda Red Cross Society to be on high alert because of the heavy rains that are suspected next month,” he said.

Repeated floods

For the last eight years, Kasese district has been experiencing back-to-back floods during the rainy month of May, leaving scores dead, properties destroyed and thousands displaced.

People living in THE hilly areas have continued to cultivate, which has made the area prone to disasters like landslides/mudslides.

In May 2020, a total of five rivers namely; Nyamwamba, Mubuku, Lhuburiba, Nyamugasani and Sebwe burst their banks affecting a total of eleven sub-counties and three divisions in Kasese district.

Most of the rivers in the district originate from Mount Rwenzori Mountain and empty into the two drainage basins of Lake George and Lake Edward.

https://thecooperator.news/four-dead-as-floods-hit-kasese-again/

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