KAMPALA, May 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Many parts of Uganda have been severely hit by floods that have claimed lives and destroyed crops.
The heavy rains have ravaged settlements and displaced thousands, leaving businesses paralyzed.
The major water bodies, including lakes Victoria (in the central region), Albert (western) and Kyoga (eastern), and several rivers, have spilled their excess water into the surrounding areas, displacing thousands of people.
Last week, at least 400 families were displaced and their property destroyed as a result of rising water levels in Lake Albert on the Ntoroko District side.
So far, five people have died in Kamwenge and Isingiro districts as a result of the floods.
Environmental experts have, however, weighed in on the causes of the floods and offered solutions on what ought to be done to restrain them.
The activists single out degradation of the catchments, especially around mountain slopes and river banks as the major causes of the floods.
The western region National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) coordinator, Jeconious Musingwire attributed the current floods to environmental degradation.
“We are currently receiving more rainfall in the hilly and mountainous areas than in the lower lands. In the hilly areas, land has been poorly managed,” he observed.
The rising water levels have been gradual since October last year, according to the Minister of Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris.
Kabale District natural resources officer, Rogers Akatwijuka blamed the occurrence of floods on the poor farming practices in the hilly areas such as Kigezi sub-region.
In the central region, the Masaka District environmental officer, Rose Nakyejwe, attributed the current floods to people building in protected zones around the lakes.
She said they have always warned people against building too close to the lakes to avoid such incidents but they have not been taking them serious.
The Uganda National Meteorology Authority, in its “seasonal rainfall outlook for March to May 2020,” warned that there would be an overall increased likelihood of near normal to above normal (wetter than average) rainfall in several parts of the country. — NNN-AGENCIES
