More than 600 families displaced, road closed over floods in Masindi
Motorists have been diverted to Kayera-Masindi Port Road, and property worth millions have been destroyed as a result of floods.
By Asimu Ayesiga
Masindi: The Masindi-Kafu road, which connects to Kampala-Gulu Highway, has been closed due to flooding, and over 600 families in Kimengo Sub County have been displaced after the River Kafu burst its banks.
Motorists have been diverted to Kayera-Masindi Port Road, and property worth millions have been destroyed as a result of floods.
The most affected families are from the villages of Karangwe, Kayera, Miyeba, Karwara, Kibanja, Kabogoba, Kingungulu, Nyakarongo, and Kididima in Kimengo Sub County Masindi district.
The floods also destroyed several hectares of crops, including maize, cassava, banana plantations, rice, sorghum, beans, groundnuts, and sugarcane, among others.
According to the residents, the rising water levels and floods submerged their homes, forcing them to seek refuge in churches, schools, and the Kimengo sub-county headquarters.
David Mugarura, the Defense Secretary for Myeba Nyakarongo village, told this publication that people are now stranded and helpless, and the current situation is unbearable, adding that they are in dire need of food, medicine, and shelter.
Bright Mugume, the Kimengo sub-county LCIII Chairperson, said that the current living conditions of the flood victims are appalling. ‘’Most homes were submerged Thursday night by the floods that resulted from the rising water levels of the River Kafu,’’ he explained.
According to Mugume, they have been forced to accommodate the flood victims at the Kimengo sub-county headquarters, Kibanja Church of Uganda, and Kayera Public Primary School.
The politician appealed to the government through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to immediately intervene by allocating relief food and help to the flood victims since they have nothing to feed on.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi district LCV chairman, together with the district team, visited the affected areas and appealed to affected people to vacate areas submerged by floods.
He said they are going to compile a list of families and properties destroyed that will be submitted to the office of the prime minister for intervention.
On Monday, the River Kafu burst its banks after a heavy downpour and flooded the Kafu Bridge that connects Hoima and Kyankwanzi districts.
This has paralyzed transport along the Hoima-Kampala route, prompting the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the police to temporarily close the road until further notice.
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