Jamony Kilion, a resident of Sunzu Landing Site, revealed that his three houses have been submerged since September, leaving his family to sleep outdoors. Midar Ochama from Songa Landing Site said his two houses were also submerged, forcing him and his family to seek shelter at a relative’s home.
Uganda Radio Network (URN) visited the area and found that the majority of the affected people are sleeping under trees, in the nearby churches and schools. Others are being accommodated at Butiaba Market while others have erected makeshift structures.
Swizin Tinkamanyire, 77, whose house is on the verge of being submerged, expressed his despair, noting that he has no place to relocate. He recalled how his permanent home was destroyed by the 2020 floods and how this current flooding marks the second time he has faced such a calamity.
As a result, the Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA has suspended the operations of the Obongi-Sinyanya ferry effective today, February 14, 2024, to avert possible safety hazards. Travellers have been advised to use the Laropi-Umi Ferry as an alternative to cross either to Adjumani or Obongi district.
Simon Agaba Kinene, the Buliisa LCV Chairperson says that they have submitted several reports to the government through the office of the prime minister for intervention in vain.
More than 2000 homes have been submerged by floods from the rising water levels of Lake Albert in the four districts over the last nine months. Records show that up t0 38,000 people were displaced affected in Buliisa district alone, especially in the areas of Wanseko,
Katanga, Kawaibanda, Butiaba, Boma, Kigangaizi, Tugombili and Walukuba.
Omol says he lost three sacks of maize and two sacks of millet, which he had harvested recently and stored for family consumption. Omol notes that he is now stuck without food and shelter to accommodate his children, saying they are currently surviving on handouts from friends and relatives.
The deceased identified as Bright Musinguzi 32, a resident of Kigoya village Buliisa sub county Buliisa district was swept away by floods resulting from the water levels of Lake Albert on Wednesday Morning.
The most affected people are from the landing sites of Kawaibanda, Butiaba, Boma, Kigangaizi, Tugombili, Walukuba, Bugoigo, Kamagongoro, Kigungu, Serule, Piida, Waisoki, Triangle and Magali, where the majority of the affected people are sleeping in the cold, under trees, in the nearby churches and schools.
Floods have killed two people in different areas following heavy rains that hit Isingiro District and more than hundred people have been displaced and property like gardens worth millions have been destroyed.
