Two lakes form in Kiruhura
May 04, 2009
IT is strange that even as the world dries up due to the devastating impact of global warming, two lakes have been created in Kiruhura district. The two lakes, Kayanja and Akageti, are located a few kilometres after Sanga town on Kampala-Mbarara highway.
By Gerald Tenywa
and Abdulkarim Ssengendo
IT is strange that even as the world dries up due to the devastating impact of global warming, two lakes have been created in Kiruhura district. The two lakes, Kayanja and Akageti, are located a few kilometres after Sanga town on Kampala-Mbarara highway.
The lakes have caused a lot of excitement among the pastoral communities who have been facing acute water shortages and had migrated to areas around Lake Mburo during the dry season.
Muhwezi Kirebe, a 75-year-old resident, said Lake Kayanja dried up seven years ago, but re-appeared at the end of last year after heavy rains. He said Lake Akageti, which is now five months old, was formed overnight.
“It was a surprise to us. We saw the lake in the morning yet it was not there the previous evening,†said Kirebe.
Kirebe and thousands of pastoralists attributed the emergence of the lakes to divine interventions of the Bachwezi (demi-gods) who are believed to have occupied parts of western Uganda.
He also believes that practices that did not respect the Bachwezi had caused the drying up of Kayanja. However, Dr. Festus Bagora, an official of the National Environment Management Authority, dismissed the role of divine powers in the creation of the lakes, saying climatic changes and environmental destruction were responsible.
“The lakes have been formed in the depressions that are surrounded by hills,†said Bagora. “The hills that have been left bare do not hold any water and allow water to sink into the ground so there is massive run-off downhill into the depressions.â€
This, Bagora pointed out, is one of the devastating impacts of climate change since the lakes were formed after heavy rains last year.
He also said due to climatic changes, parts of Uganda were likely to become warmer, but they are also expected to receive intense rains.
The two lakes are benefiting mainly cattle keepers and constructors of Kampala-Mbarara road who can now easily access water.
Kayanja is located near a ranch belonging to Bernard Kasisi and Akageti is on the Government ranch of Nshaara. Both lakes are freely accessible and they are used to water more than 3,000 cattle. The two lakes are connected by a large swamp called Ekizimbe.
and Abdulkarim Ssengendo
IT is strange that even as the world dries up due to the devastating impact of global warming, two lakes have been created in Kiruhura district. The two lakes, Kayanja and Akageti, are located a few kilometres after Sanga town on Kampala-Mbarara highway.
The lakes have caused a lot of excitement among the pastoral communities who have been facing acute water shortages and had migrated to areas around Lake Mburo during the dry season.
Muhwezi Kirebe, a 75-year-old resident, said Lake Kayanja dried up seven years ago, but re-appeared at the end of last year after heavy rains. He said Lake Akageti, which is now five months old, was formed overnight.
“It was a surprise to us. We saw the lake in the morning yet it was not there the previous evening,†said Kirebe.
Kirebe and thousands of pastoralists attributed the emergence of the lakes to divine interventions of the Bachwezi (demi-gods) who are believed to have occupied parts of western Uganda.
He also believes that practices that did not respect the Bachwezi had caused the drying up of Kayanja. However, Dr. Festus Bagora, an official of the National Environment Management Authority, dismissed the role of divine powers in the creation of the lakes, saying climatic changes and environmental destruction were responsible.
“The lakes have been formed in the depressions that are surrounded by hills,†said Bagora. “The hills that have been left bare do not hold any water and allow water to sink into the ground so there is massive run-off downhill into the depressions.â€
This, Bagora pointed out, is one of the devastating impacts of climate change since the lakes were formed after heavy rains last year.
He also said due to climatic changes, parts of Uganda were likely to become warmer, but they are also expected to receive intense rains.
The two lakes are benefiting mainly cattle keepers and constructors of Kampala-Mbarara road who can now easily access water.
Kayanja is located near a ranch belonging to Bernard Kasisi and Akageti is on the Government ranch of Nshaara. Both lakes are freely accessible and they are used to water more than 3,000 cattle. The two lakes are connected by a large swamp called Ekizimbe.