Statement to Parliament on the Damage Caused by Heavy Rains in the Country

OFTICE OT THE PRIME MIHISTER STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT ON THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY HEAVY RAINS IN THE COUNTRY BY ENG. HTLARY ONEK (MP) MINISTER FOR RELI ]SASTER PREPAREDNE$S 26TH MAY 2O2A 1. O INTRODUCTION The 54th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF) convened in late January predicted that most parts of the country will receive normal to above normal rainfall between March and May. The recent forecast indicates that rains will continue into June and recede in early July. The impact of the current rains is already being felt in Uganda. The country is experiencing rising water levels and subsequent flooding of its major water bodies. The water levels in L. Victoria alone have reached the highest levels in our history. The release of water at the dam to downstream has been increased to 200,000 cubic centimeters threatening to flood the infrastructure and low lying areas of Lake Kyoga, 2. O EFFECTS OF HEAVY RAINS TO THE COUNTRY Water levels have increased in all rivers and lakes in the country leading to floods and dhplacement of communities. Somd of the districts affected by this phenomenon include communities along the shores of the lakes including L. Albert that has affected the districts of Buliisa, Hoima, Kikuube Kagadi, L" Kyoga ndd isplaced communities , Serere, Ka of Lango. affected Wakiso, including Bussi Islands where 55 houses were destroyed. Entebbe particularly along the shores including Garuga and Mulungu in Busiro have experienced floods. Kampala District has equally suffered floods especially communities along of L. Victoria that include; Bukasa, Mutungo, Gaba, Munyonyo, of the Islands within L if the rains persist. Masulya Island in Mayuge District was submerged at the beginning of the rains and an entire community of over was displaced and relocated to Sagittu Island. More such been received from Buvuma, Kkoome and Buikwe, among 2.4 In the mountainous areas of Elgon and Rwenzori Sub-regions, the situation is equally bad. Kween District has experienced floods and landslides that have led to death of 3 peopte and displacement of communities. The district of Nakapiripiriti suffered major floods, destroying shelter and displacing over 1000 pesple. Nyamwamba, Mobuku, Nyamugasani, Sebwe and Lhubiriha burst their banks destruction of shelter, displacement and cutting off communities. peop 2.7 Infrastructure i schools, Kilembe Mines Hospital, bridges, roads, and hydro power plants, worth billions of shiltings were destroyed. 2.8 On 20th May 2020, still in Kasese, Rivers Rwembya, Thaku and Lhubiriha at the Mpondwe border between Uganda & DRC burst their banks leading to more floods in the sub-counties of Kisinga and Kisinga town council, Ihandiro Sub county, Kitholhu Sub county and Karambi Sub county. Infrastructure like roads, bridges, schools, hydro-power plants, shelter, etc, were destroyed and Uganda lost I lives, while DRC lost 10. One of those lost on Ugandan side was a UPDF Officer. 2.9 Due to River Lamya bursting its banks, over 1500 people were displaced by floods and one life was lost in Bundibugyo District. sol1l water rat s/ hailstorms and windstorms which has led to devastating outcomes on lives, Kabale, Kisoro, Isingiro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Rwampara, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Kyegegwa, Ka mwenge, Kakumi ro, Masaka, Kyotera, Bukomansi mbi, Ka muli, Busia, Buvuma and Tororo where over 9 sub-counties were affected due to flooding of R. Malaba. Communities in thousands have been displaced in most of the affected districts. In trltal, one million people have been affected by the raising water levels, floods and landslides, out of which, close to ^ \./'vNr) 100,000 people have been displaced and have lost both household items and crops due to the events explained above. Other emergencies have also been reported from Katakwi where over 1000 people were displaced due to attacks from the Karimojong. The districts of Pakwach, Lamwo and Maracha have also reported incidents of clashes due to land wrangles, leading to burning down of houses and displacing communities. 3.1 In response, early warning messages are sent out to communities in general, but with specific alerts to communities living in mountainous areas firorn the steep slopes of the mountains, to go and stay with and non-food relief items including rnaize lankets, jerricans, basins," mosquito nets, iron sheets, the affected districts. :i 3,3. These include; Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Nakapiripiriti, Kween, Tororo, Busia, Kamuli, Nakasongola, Rukungiri, Kitagwenda, Kamwenge, Hoima, Buliisa, Kikuube, Bukomansimbi, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Rwampara, Isingiro, Kitagwenda, Ibanda, Kyotera, Kiruhura, Kabale, Masaka, Buvuma, Mayuge, Wakiso (Bussi), Kakumiro, Maracha and Pakwach among others. More than 30 districts have been served so far, 3.4 In districts where the effects are too grave like Kasese, other MDAs and partners have been mobilized to suppoft Government interventions" These & Transport, National Forestry Authority (NfA), Uganda Witd Life ty (UWA), Uganda Red Cross, Ms. Malteser International, etc. items, water and san REQUIREMENTS The affected population numbering 1,000,000 people urgently require Shelter, Blankets, Mosquito nets, utensils, saucepans, clean water, sanitation facilities, Jerry cans, tanks, tarpaulins and relief food. 5.0 CONCLUSION; 5.1 According to the current weather forecast, rains are going to continue into Government needs enough resources to ese occ WARD 6.1 Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development gets the required funds amounting to Shs. 50 bn for the emergency activities from the contingency fund BUDGET Item Popn. Units Unit cost Maize flour 1,000,000pple 2s001- ,000/" 1,000,000pple 3 4sau- 0, 0,000/- 6 25,0001-.

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