East African Gazette
Kampala
Some residents of the Katoogo lakeside slums, and Masese landing site, have been forced to flee for their lives, to avoid the unseen danger of the rising water levels.
This comes at a time when Kenya and Tanzania, two neighbouring countries, are also struggling with floods which have killed over 200 people and displaced thousands.
Concerned about the rising water levels, the Speaker of the Parliament Anitah Among urged the government to inform Ugandans about its preparedness to prevent future disasters like what is happening in the two neighbouring countries.
“Last week we talked about the disaster that is happening in most of the areas, it is worsening in Kenya and we really condone with our brothers and sisters in Kenya of what is happening and the same is likely to come over and I also ask the Minister of Disaster to give us information on what action has been taken especially in areas that we talked about. We would like a statement from the Minister on how far she has gone and how prepared we are, the fact that it is happening in Kenya, Tanzania, how ready are we as Ugandans to mitigate the disaster that is happening in the country? How are we going to handle it?” Among noted.
Joel Ssenyonyi, the leader of the opposition, cited the rising water levels at Lake Victoria as a justification for asking the government to inform Ugandans about its preparedness to prevent the inevitable occurrence of the climatic catastrophe occurring in Kenya and Tanzania, should it reach Uganda.
“My worry is, what is happening in Kenya could very potentially happen here in Uganda. How ready are we to avert such a situation? Climate change is real and it is hitting us hard,” he noted.
“In 2018, the Government was mooting the idea of the Disaster Management Bill but it didn’t see the light of the day. Is the Government still interested in this? Maybe we should bring it as a private member’s bill so that we have a proper foundation, because if we don’t plan and we give you money, what are you going to put it to use towards?” he asked.
Lilian Aber, the state minister for disaster preparedness, emphasized the National Meteorological Authority’s prediction of significant rains while recognizing the gravity of the situation. Notwithstanding, she underscored the fiscal limitations of the ministry and requested the House’s assistance in obtaining essential funding.
However, experts attribute the increasing water levels to the torrential rains in the Lake Victoria basin.
Many of the homes and shops that were in Masese have been flooded, forcing the owners to leave. Members of the community fear difficult times coming, which they last experienced in 1997.
Reports indicate that different islands like Lwabitooke, Kisima I and II in Jinja Southern Division are in a similar predicament, forcing many to flee to the mainland.
People have no food since all their gardens flooded and their houses submerged and the majority are taking refuge at Masese Landing Site, however those who can’t afford rent in town are left homeless.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission reports that in May 2020, the water level in Lake Victoria reached a new record of 13.42 meters, above the 13.41 meters recorded in 1964.
The water level reached 13.32 meters in 2021
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