Namayingo: Authorities from the Eastern Namayingo districts are seeking urgent intervention from the government after floods invaded the area. Over 100 households are wrestling for shelter following a persistent flooding on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Reports indicate that the most affected is Hama Island, where even the police marine detach and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) offices were washed away. The rising floods are allegedly caused by the submerging waters from Lake Victoria.
Mr Trevor Solomon Baleke, the Namayingo Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) told Busoga Today on Friday that the heavy rainfall experienced in the area has been a key in raising the water levels leading to the floods.
“The households are within water catchment areas that is, not beyond the recommended 200 metres from the lake shores,” Mr Baleke said.
Currently, the floods are increasing and are likely to affect other islands of Dolwe, Sigulu, and Yebe, among others.
According to Baleke, there is vacant land within the island where the displaced people can settle, but some Kenyan communities are claiming ownership of the same land, which is making it hard for the displaced to occupy.
“There is urgent need to reallocate the victims of floods to an open ground and also land for Hama Police marine detaches to have the station constructed,” he said, confirming that no life losses were registered.
The transport on the water (Lake Victoria) is now difficult given the rise in water levels, which authorities call for police marine patrols to control transit and passenger boats on the waters.
The RDC advocates for urgent intervention from the ministry of disaster and preparedness to respond to the natural calamity before it worsens.
“There is need to question Kenyan communities over their alleged ownership of land in Hama Island, and yet Islands fall under the ministry of tourism under the laws of Uganda.” he noted.
Neighbouring Kenya, Namayingo district harbours Lake Victoria with several islands, which Baleke advocates for a visibility study in Hama Island to enable proper planning.
Baleke urged residents in places where the disaster has not yet reached to vacate with immediate effect to escape the negative consequences that happen in the near future.
