Uganda has been heavily affected by torrential rains that have lasted over 5 months leaving families stranded, destroying crops and killing livestock.
Honourable Esther Nyakun the Minister of State for relief, Disaster preparedness and refugees, office of the prime minister said that the rains characterised by violent windstorms and hailstones have not only destroyed crops in the countryside but also led to loss of lives and rise in water levels.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday this week, Esther said that districts along the shores of lake Albert, Kyoga and Victoria were affected.
The Albert districts include Buliusa and Ntoroko. In Lake Kyoga the districts are Nakasongola, Serere, Kaberamaido, Kapelebyong, Dokolo, Apac, Amolatar, Kayunga and Buyende.
Buikwe, Wakiso and Kampala city were affected by the Victoria waters.
“Approximetly 103 km of the district road network have been affected through sections of the road either washed away or cut off”. She said in reference to Nakasongola district.
In the same district, 22 islands with a total of 1762 people were affected by the rains drowning a maternity ward and 5 Government primary Schools.
In October heavy rains and hailstones with strong winds destroyed several acres of cassava, maize and beans in Bwijanga and Bulima town council in Masindi district.
” roughly over 1 million people have been directly or indirectly affected by the current conditions with some sleeping in churches, schools and other public places”. She said.
The Minister warned that this month’s rains will be be heavier with some segments of the country reviving moderate rains.
Assuring the public, she said that relief items such as food, water and everyday-to-use items will be distributed through partners.
