Torrential rains that poured over Eastern Uganda last weekend have spurred the government to approve a project worth over US$100 million to revive drainage infrastructure in Uganda’s flood-prone areas.
On Friday, the State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization, Hon. Evelyn Anite announced to investors a 20 billion shilling fund approved by President Museveni to fix and expand drainage in Mbale. This comes after resulting floods in the city and surrounding districts around the Mt. Elgon region including Kapchorwa, Bulambuli, and Namisindwa exposed the unpreparedness of the East African country to climate change-induced, intensifying extreme weather events.
The three-day downpour caused the two rivers in the city of Mbale to burst their banks. Flood waters carried away and damaged crops, houses, businesses, and highways and uprooted water and sewer pipes. The country’s ministry of transport has reported over US$28 million in damaged road infrastructure.
At least 30 people were killed, 5,600 people displaced from their homes, and approximately 400,000 left without access to clean water in this latest spate of frequent floods in Uganda. It is reported that over 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of crops were damaged.
The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has warned of more torrential rain over Eastern Uganda throughout the month of August. Evacuation is underway and residents of the Mbale and Mount Elgon area are being urged to relocate to safer designated areas.
Mr. Julius Mucunguzi, the director of communications for the prime minister’s office lamented the role of human activities in causing current weather disasters.
“The long-term approach is to safeguard the environment, avoid going near wetlands and riverbanks, and prevent harming river paths. Climate change is obvious. The arrival and intensity of the rains are no longer predictable”, he said.
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