Hundreds stranded in Butaleja as floods cut off key roads

BUTALEJA - Hundreds of residents in Butaleja district are stranded following devastating floods that have rendered major roads impassable, effectively isolating the district from its neighbours, Mbale and Budaka.  

Torrential rains, exacerbated by the overflowing waters from Mount Elgon slopes, have submerged sections of the vital Butaleja-Kachonga-Nabumali road at the Leresi Bridge and the Leresi-Budaka road, cutting off crucial transportation links.

The affected population are now forced to take lengthy and expensive detours via Busolwe-Nagongera-Tororo road to reach Mbale, or Busolwe-Budumba-Namutumba to connect to Budaka.

This has significantly increased travel time and costs, leaving many residents struggling.

“The journey to Mbale now takes almost five hours and costs triple the usual fare. I’ve lost a significant amount of my earnings just on transport alone.” Stated Abraham Higenyi a rice vendor, who was trying to transport his produce to Mbale.  

Micheal Daggu, the district councillor representing Mazimasa sub-county to the district council, echoed similar sentiments.

The affected population are now forced to take lengthy and expensive detours via Busolwe-Nagongera-Tororo road to reach Mbale, or Busolwe-Budumba-Namutumba to connect to Budaka. (Credit: George Ofwono)

“It used to cost farmers shillings 10,000 to take a bag of rice to Mbale. Now, due to the distance, it’s costing one 25,000. Many of the farmers are losing money as they can’t easily get their produce to the market,” he stated. 

The district, being situated in the lowlands, is frequently affected by floods originating from the Mount Elgon slopes. Besides connectivity, several homesteads, schools are also said to have been submerged. 

According to the district leaders, the Government’s perceived inaction is to blame for the prolonged crisis.

This as they say failure by the Government to address long-standing calls for improved infrastructure in the district is the reason the population have continuously suffered repercussions of the flooding. 

"We have repeatedly petitioned the Government to prioritise the construction and improvement of these crucial roads, especially given Butaleja’s vulnerability to flooding.  The government’s silence is deafening, and the suffering of our people is a direct result of this negligence," district speaker Yunus Hamira said. 

Hamira urged the immediate intervention of relevant authorities to restore connectivity and alleviate the plight of the stranded people in the district.