Richard Bomera, the LCIII chairperson for Bulembia Division in Kasese municipality, says river Nyamwamba needs periodic desilting to minimize flooding and its effects.
Chance Kahindo the Mayor of Kasese Municipality says they fear that if the rains become intense as its being predicted, water might carry along properties including boulders that would eventually silt the river again.
River Nyamwamba has in the recent past caused a lot of destruction and loss of lives as a result of flooding. The latest events resulted in the destruction of Kilembe Mines Hospital and left hundreds of area residents displaced.
WWF is implementing the midstream activities after signing a contract with the Ministry of Water and Environment and its activities include raising community awareness on environment conservation, riverbank stabilization, and supporting the livelihood of communities along the catchment area.
Jessica Nyamukonzo a resident of Katiri Parish in Kilembe Sub County says her parish entirely depends on river Nyamwamba for domestic water since there is no piped water.
Kipura Zalot, the project coordinator, says that they have so far planted 500 trees in the first phase of the restoration project, adding that more than 300 others will be planted in this second phase.
As part of the multi-billion Nyamwamba River Plan funded by the World Bank, the Ministry will create an emergency measure towards the river system, plant bamboo on river banks and install a flood forecasting and early warning system.
The plan involves the planting of bamboo trees on the river banks and supporting the livelihoods of communities along the catchment area. The ministry will also install a flood forecasting and early warning system and do spot cleaning of the river.
Isaiah Thembo, the Kitooro Village LCI chairperson, says that they decided to mobilise themselves after witnessing volumes of water rising in the river that is still silted. He, however, says they have only managed to desilt a few sections of the river and still need support from the government.
Kilembe Mines Hospital has temporarily been closed as floods washed through the facility. It washed away the drug store and the hospital mortuary. The river last flooded in July 2015.
