Floods ravage Kasese Municipality, hundreds of households affected

Kasese Municipality in western Uganda has once again been hit by floods, following heavy downpours.

The flash floods, caused by River Nyamwamba bursting its banks, have severely impacted at least four villages in Nyamwamba Division. The affected villages have reported that over 1,000 households (HH) have been displaced, with 250 households completely submerged in water.

In a tragic turn, it is feared that one woman has drowned in the fast-moving waters. Local authorities, together with Response Action Teams and the District Disaster Management Committee, are conducting a rapid assessment to ascertain the full extent of the damage and confirm the fate of the missing woman.

Search operations are ongoing in collaboration with the Village Task Force, comprising community responders, to ensure that any missing individuals are located as quickly as possible.

Kasese has been no stranger to flooding, especially in recent years. River Nyamwamba, which passes through Kasese, has become notorious for overflowing after heavy rains.

The town has experienced multiple flood events in the past decade, displacing thousands of residents, causing loss of property, and in some instances, claiming lives.

Experts say that the increasing frequency of floods in the district could be linked to environmental degradation and climate change.

In particular, deforestation in the nearby Rwenzori Mountains has reduced the area's capacity to absorb rainfall, leading to faster runoff into the river.

Additionally, the riverbanks have weakened over time due to unchecked human activities, further heightening the risk of flooding.

Kasese has endured several catastrophic flood incidents in the past, with River Nyamwamba being the focal point of many disasters.

The most notable floods in recent memory occurred in 2013, 2014, 2020, and 2021, each causing significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and agricultural lands.

Despite local and national efforts to implement preventive measures, the region’s vulnerability remains high, with much of the population living in flood-prone areas along the riverbanks.

This latest flood event serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive flood management plan for Kasese and its surrounding areas.

Local leaders have called for enhanced community awareness programs on disaster preparedness, the construction of better drainage systems, and investment in sustainable environmental management practices to mitigate the risks posed by recurrent flooding.