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Floods displace thousands in Masindi
Kimengo Sub-county chairperson Stephen Kabindi (L) In gumboots addresses displaced residents. Over 1,000 people have been displaced by floods from River Kafu. Courtesy Photo
What you need to know:
Disaster. Over 1,000 people displaced by floods in Kimengo Sub-county in Masindi District.
Masindi. About 1,000 people have been displaced by floods in Kimengo Sub-county in Masindi District.
The sub-county chairperson, Mr Stephen Kabindi, said people have been displaced by River Kafu that burst its banks recently following heavy rains.
“The water levels have been increasing since Thursday, displacing people from at least six villages,” Mr Kabindi told Daily Monitor last Sunday.
Water has sub-merged hundreds of acres of maize, cassava and rice and killed livestock. He identified the affected villages as Kididima, Karangwe, Kizinga, Myeba, Bugaramwa and Kayera.
According to Mr Kabindi, some of the displaced families have sought refuge at Kimengo Primary School while others are being hosted by neighbours and relatives.
The families are in dire need of food, clothing, medicine and shelter.
“We have not received any relief items. Crops have been destroyed, three calves and over ten goats for Mr Katete Samwiri were lost but we have been fortunate not to lose lives,” said Mr Kabindi.
He added that the sub-county does not have enough resources to rescue all the affected people but said they would appeal to the district authorities for help.
Mr John Kaija Kyaligonza, one of the affected person in Kimengo Sub-county, explained that flooding has been happening but after a long time. He said similar floods were experienced in 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1997.
River Kafu, which meanders through various districts, burst its banks recently; it paralysed transport along the Hoima-Kampala highway after it submerged a bridge that separates Hoima and Kyankwanzi districts.
Preparedness
While launching the World Vision Uganda strategy 2016-2020 in Kampala in October, state minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru tasked the ministries that are responsible for people’s livelihoods to be prepared for what is likely to happen with the possible El- Nino rains. He said the rains would cause serious flooding and water logging, which result into displacement of people, collapsing of some roads and also destroy crops.
