The government has encouraged flood-affected locals in Kisoro district, western Uganda to flee from disaster-prone areas and relocate to nearby schools and churches because more rain is anticipated in June and July, which could cause more disaster.
The government’s advice was delivered by the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Esther Anyakun, while speaking to the affected locals in Kisoro district yesterday.
“Right now there are schools and churches in better locations where people should reside because we still anticipate more rain to come in the months of June and July,” Minister Anyakun said.
She also advised the locals of Maregamo and Kibumba villages to always go to their gardens for farming during the day and then go back to their safer, established areas at night.
“During the day, we can tend to our gardens, but at night we should sleep at the schools and churches because their locations are less prone to floods,” she said.
The minister also promised to extend more support from the Office of the Prime Minister in addition to the 52 million shillings she handed over from the government.
While speaking to the locals and journalists in Kisoro, the minister pledged to support the affected families using her own money, stating that the locals should expect more support because the government is aware of their needs.
This comes after mudslides claimed the lives of about 16 people in the districts of Kisoro, Rubanda, and Rukiga in western Uganda following the heavy rains received by the area on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
The victims include the five people from the home of Gaudiozi Nkibarikure and the local council chairperson for Biizi in Murora sub-county in Kisoro district, among others.
