UPDF joins Kasese flood rescue efforts

By Taddeo Bwambale

An emergency response team comprising of officers from UPDF, district and several local organisations is traversing flood-hit areas in Kasese to rescue victims and assess damage.

At least five people including two newborn babies and a 77-year-old woman died on Thursday in a stampede at Kilembe Mines Hospital, as patients fled the hospital to escape floods.

A total of 195 patients who were receiving treatment at the hospital were on Wednesday evacuated to other government facilities.

Wilson Asaba, the assistant chief administrative officer and focal person on disaster told New Vision that relief efforts would focus on draining the river MUbuku bed.

“We are mobilizing equipment to deepen the river bed and remove some boulders so that the river can flow freely,” Asaba explained.

Asaba said the team was conducting a thorough assessment of the damaged caused by the floods.