The speaker of parliament, Annet Anita Among, has urged the government to allocate funds for disaster relief in response to the increasing climate change effects in the East African region.
During the plenary sitting on Monday, May 6, 2024, Speaker Among emphasized the need for the Ministry for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees to collaborate with the budget committee to ensure that sufficient resources are dedicated to disaster response and management efforts.
“I urged the Minister to liaise with the Budget Committee to ensure that requisite budgetary resources are devoted to disaster response and management,” Speaker Among stated.
Furthermore, Among called upon the Ministry to issue early warnings to the public, enabling them to take necessary precautions in the face of potential disasters.
“I urge the Minister responsible for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees to activate appropriate early warning and effective response strategies,” she added.
Speaker Among expressed her concerns regarding the government’s preparedness to mitigate the impending disasters resulting from the prevailing climatic changes in the East African region.
“Last week, we talked about the disasters occurring in most areas. The situation is worsening in Kenya, and we express our condolences to our brothers and sisters there. Unfortunately, a similar situation could arise here, so I ask the Minister of Disaster to provide information on the actions taken, especially in the areas that we discussed,” Among remarked.
Several Members of Parliament echoed their concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for Uganda to adequately prepare as it won’t be exempted from the severe disasters associated with climate change.
“Climate change is real, and we are already experiencing its effects. Over 200 people have been confirmed dead due to heavy rainfall. Here in Uganda, the rain is relentless, and the Meteorological Authorities have warned that it is only expected to worsen,” stated MP Ssenyonyi during his communication.
In response to these concerns, the State Minister for Disaster and Preparedness, Lillian Aber, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and assured the Members of Parliament of the Ministry’s readiness.
“As a Ministry, we are doing our best with the limited resources available to us. We have already witnessed several landslides in Kasese and Kisoro. A report from the Uganda Meteorological Authority indicates that the country will face heavy rains, which could lead to potential hazards,” Minister Aber noted.
The call for updating the nation on Uganda’s preparedness to tackle imminent disasters arrives at a time when neighboring countries such as Kenya and Tanzania have already suffered from devastating effects caused by torrential rains, resulting in numerous casualties and significant property damage.
