By eastafrican gazette
The Ugandan Government has earmarked shs5.5bn to help in safeguarding the infrastructure in areas prone to floods.
The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development was directed to release the fund immediately to kick start the various activities.
Uganda’s Minister for Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris, told journalists at the Uganda Media Centre that the move followed his presentation on the flood situation in the country during a Cabinet meeting on May 13, 2024.
He said that due to the escalating floods in the East African Countries, Uganda is likely to experience more floods as it is situated downstream.
He noted that Uganda anticipates increased rainfall, a need to put in pace timely measures.
It is estimated that about 848,773 people including 350,155 displaced, in Kenya, Somalia, Burundi and Tanzania by the persistent heavy rains. In Kenya an estimated 267 people have been killed, 188 injured, 75 missing, while 281,835 people (56,367 families) have been displaced and almost 380,573 (76,114 families) affected since March to date.
“Lake Victoria for instance has reached the highest level ever recorded. At the moment, we are 13.66 meters. In 2020 you remember when we had a lot of rains, the highest we reached was 13.50 meters. This phenomenon is obviously caused by climate change. There is also what they call El Nino rains,” he explained.
He stressed the 23 rivers that feed L. Victoria originate from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, noting that even if there are no rains in Uganda, L. Victoria will still receive water.
“So, this what is happening. In most of our areas, you have heard of the flooding in Kenya, Rwanda, problems in Tanzania and in Burundi, and this water is coming to L. Victoria,” he noted.
A team of experts has also been dispatched to identify and map out the different areas that are dangerously prone to floods.
“They are to identify areas which dangerously prone to flooding. Our aim is to secure the lives of the people and to ensure that we protect whatever infrastructure is there. Areas where there are health centres, schools, large populations, roads that may be damaged, and any other area which is sensitive,” he said.
They intend to construct embankments or gabions around various infrastructure to safeguard them from potential flood damage, to enhance river drainage capacity to accommodate more water and to remove individuals who are illegally occupying wetlands.
He said most of the areas around L. Victoria, Kyoga area and L. Albert are under water, stressing that when the level of the lake rises, they are forced to release more water from Jinja since most of the water go through Jinja to ensure they stabilize and balance the side of the lake and downstream.
He noted that currently they are releasing 2600 cubic meters per second of water in Jinja.
“This is also to ensure that we also don’t damage our dams. So, when we presented this matter to cabinet on May 13, 2024. Cabinet decided to undertake some actions in the mediate, midterm and long-term,” the minister noted.
“Like in Entebbe we might have to do something because we expect more rain and therefore, we must have to protect some of our infrastructure,” he noted.
Cheptoris stressed that they expect more money in the next financial budget for other activities throughout 2025 and beyond.
The minister warned all people and communities living within the lake shores, river banks and those who encroached in wetlands to leave before they are evicted forcefully by the authorities.
“They must be careful and try to avoid those areas. We must respect environmental rules. The law clearly states that there should be a buffer zone over above 100metters from the shores of the lake. But our people don’t respect our rules. You should 50 meters away from the river banks. This is for your good,” he added.
A total of about 10,000 residents have been displaced by the rising L. Victoria waters in various landing sites in Masaka, Jinja and parts of Wakiso.
He went to explain that wetlands serve as storage for water, stressing people are suffering in Kyambogo because the wetland was destroyed by industrialists.
Because of the ripple effect of the wetland destruction, Lokeris said the President has written several letters that no new industrial parks should be set up in wetlands. “He has made it very clear; he has written to me and has pronounced it to everybody. Those which are there remain but all other investors must look for dryland. So, the remaining wetland in Namanve is being protected,” he added.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Executive Director, Barirega Akankwasa said the environment operations are continuing targeting everyone who is illegally encroaching on wetlands.
He said last year alone they managed to handle 113 cases of encroachers in court.
“The law does not distinguish who is big and who is small. Whoever is in violation of the law is treated in the same way, whether you are rich or poor it does not matter because the law does not discriminate. Our men are in the field to evict those who have refused to go voluntarily,” he added.
Akankwasa said 3000 land titles in forests and wetlands have so far been cancelled and process continues.
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