By Ezaruku Draku Franklin

The speaker of parliament yesterday led the legislators in paying tribute to those killed by the Elgon floods that has so far claimed lives of 23 people with several others still unaccounted for by floods that swept through Mbale city on Saturday night through to Sunday morning after rivers Namatala, Nabuyonga, Nashibiso and Nambale filled to capacity and burst their banks..

Anita Among, the speaker of parliament tasked government to make sure the disaster response mechanisms is reliable and up to date with what is happening across the country. She said there is need for the country to put in mitigation and adaptation measures in combating impacts of climate change.

“I urge the executive to establish a reliable disaster early warning systems to save lives of people. We also need to scale up on climate change, adaption & mitigation interventions for sustainable development,” Among said.

Government has come under increasing pressure over its lackluster response to the disaster as pictures and videos of locals retrieving dead bodies from river banks and homes dominate the online media platforms. Government deployed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldiers to help in rescue efforts, but locals say they are not doing enough

A report by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, indidcates that as of August 1, 2022, a total of 23 people were confirmed dead including a UPDF soldier, while several bodies and motorcycles are feared to be still trapped on river beds and a number of people are still missing.

 The Opposition Whip John Baptist Nambeshe yesterday said locals continue to shoulder the burden of retrieving the dead bodies as the army, police and other stakeholders look on.

“Much us we have had UPDF and Police rescue teams on ground, they are sleeping on job because the bodies being retrieved from the river is courtesy of efforts from the locals,” he said.

Masaba Karim raises a matter regarding the tragic floods in Bugisu said while government has put in some effort to provide relief aid and emergency response plan, what has so far been done is not enough. He said government must step up its effort to help the suffering population.

“Office of the Prime Minister should urgently deploy effective machinery to help people who are stranded. OPM should also supply emergency relief in terms of food, water, medicine and temporary accommodation for our people,” he said

Miriam Mukhaye, the Mbale Woman Member of Parliament urged Uganda National Meteorological Authority to intensify sensitization on climate change awareness campaigns by alerting people in the local languages of the incoming rains.

Gov’t defends response

Government yesterday defended its response so far, saying that it is doing a lot to save those who are still trapped and retrieving those that have perished in the floods. Prime Minister Nabbanja said UPDF and Police have intensified search and rescue operations by clearing the river beds. She also said Ministry of Water is on the ground to reconnect the water supply at Bunghoko Bridge.

“Government, through the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness under the Office of Prime Minister has provided relief food to the tune of 90 metric tons to Mbale City, Kapchorwa and Mbale District,” she said.

Nabbanja said she has been coordinating a multi sectoral committee comprising of local leaders and officials from Ministry of Health, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Uganda Red Cross, Disaster Preparedness Department of Office of Prime Minister, Uganda Police Force and UPDF. She said in addition to Shs5 million the president committed to families of the dead, government, through The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness under the Office of Prime Minister has provided relief food to the affected  and that government will urgently embark on restoration of damaged infrastructure in the affected areas including Mbale Industrial Park.

“Government has intensified early warning mechanisms using information from Uganda National Meteorological Authority and using various media channels like radio and TV to alert people on pending disasters since it has just started raining. Police will setup road blocks to prevent people from crossing dangerous bridges and other locations in case of eminent danger. People who have illegally encroached on wetlands or, settled close to river banks and forests will be evicted,” she said.

UPDF takes over Bulambuli resettlement project

Government has also pledged to speed up the Bulambuli Resettlement project for the flood affected people. In January 2019, government launched the resettlement project after devastating floods displaced up to more than 100,000 people. Nabbanja yesterday said office of the Prime Minister using the UPDF Engineering Brigade is coordinating the resettlement project aimed at resettling identified households at high risk of landslides in Elgon region.

She said far 272 households have been constructed houses and settled at Bunambutye resettlement in Bulambuli District.

“We have also constructed a Health center Ill and a Primary School in this Settlement. Approximately 2500 people have been settled. Our budget was affected by the floods that hit the country and Covid-19 Pandemic,” she said.

According to her, the project is targeting up to 900  households  from  the  five  most  land slide  prone  and  affected  districts  in the Elgon region.

“The resettlement process is being implemented in a phased approach, with the first, second & third phase already completed. In the fourth Phase Government plans to construct l 00 houses,” she said.

She said further rescue efforts will continue to save those still trapped and those that are missing until everyone is accounted for