Kasese Municipality has been hit hard by severe flooding after River Nyamwamba overflowed its banks, causing widespread destruction, particularly in the Nyamwamba division.
The river, originating from the mountain Rwenzori, surged dramatically into Kasese town, resulting in significant damage.
According to reports, the overflow has led to the tragic deaths of two individuals, submerged numerous homes, and severely disrupted daily life in the affected areas.
The high volumes of water diverted from Congo Quarters cell into Kasese Municipality to rapid inundation of roads and buildings. Local leadership has confirmed that efforts are underway to address the situation.
Lt. Joe Walusimbi, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kasese, acknowledged the crisis and the government's response, stating, "The government has done everything possible to address the Nyamwamba issue. We are actively mobilizing resources to redirect the water to its original channel to mitigate the damage."
Eyewitnesses reported the water rising swiftly, submerging infrastructure within hours.
Residents have expressed frustration with the government's response, attributing the disaster to a lack of timely action. Kigutiha Jafari, a Kasese resident, commented, "The government’s slow response has exacerbated the situation. We need immediate action to prevent further disasters."
Resident Thembo Isaiah added, "The floodwaters have destroyed homes and livelihoods. It’s a dire situation, and we feel neglected by the authorities."
Despite the ongoing efforts to manage the situation, this marks the second occurrence of the river diverting at the same spot, despite previous corrective measures.
The Kasese District leadership continues to mobilize resources and work on long-term solutions to prevent future incidents. The community remains hopeful that these efforts will provide some relief and prevent further calamities.
