Bulambuli leaders call for government help
Sep 19, 2011
Bulambuli district authorities have asked the Government to buy land in Bunambutye and Bwikonge sub-counties on which to resettle about 25,000 households displaced by landslides that hit the district last month.
BY JOSEPH WANZUSI
Bulambuli district authorities have asked the Government to buy land in Bunambutye and Bwikonge sub-counties on which to resettle about 25,000 households displaced by landslides that hit the district last month.
Briefing the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, on the situation at the district headquarters on Thursday, the district chairman, Simon Wananzofu, said residents in the hilly seven sub-counties of Masira, Buginyanya, Bumugibole, Lusya, Bulago, Bumasobo and Buluganya need to be resettled.
Wananzofu said there were 11,000 acres of land in Bwikhonge sub-county and 26,000 acres in Bunambutye owned by individuals who are willing to sell to the Government.
“Several bridges connecting villages have been destroyed while pit-latrines have been submerged, raising fears for an outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera and dysentery,†Wananzofu said.
He cited Nabbongo Secondary School with over 600 students where the pit-latrines have been destroyed by floods, adding that the school may be forced to close due to poor sanitation.
He told the minister that the district had no vehicle following the breakdown of the only double-cabin pick-up and yet transport was very vital during this crisis period.
In his response, the minister promised to send more relief to the affected people and a team of officials to negotiate with the owners of the land in Bwikhonge and Bunambutye.
He, however, warned of dire consequences for anybody found selling relief food meant for the displaced communities who have abandoned their homes for fear of being hit by landslides as rains continue to pound the district.
Mallinga urged the district leadership to provide pit-latrine slabs and construct pit-latrines on high grounds to assist communities as an emergency measure to avert disease outbreaks while concerned central government ministries mobilise resources.
Bulambuli district authorities have asked the Government to buy land in Bunambutye and Bwikonge sub-counties on which to resettle about 25,000 households displaced by landslides that hit the district last month.
Briefing the Minister of Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, on the situation at the district headquarters on Thursday, the district chairman, Simon Wananzofu, said residents in the hilly seven sub-counties of Masira, Buginyanya, Bumugibole, Lusya, Bulago, Bumasobo and Buluganya need to be resettled.
Wananzofu said there were 11,000 acres of land in Bwikhonge sub-county and 26,000 acres in Bunambutye owned by individuals who are willing to sell to the Government.
“Several bridges connecting villages have been destroyed while pit-latrines have been submerged, raising fears for an outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera and dysentery,†Wananzofu said.
He cited Nabbongo Secondary School with over 600 students where the pit-latrines have been destroyed by floods, adding that the school may be forced to close due to poor sanitation.
He told the minister that the district had no vehicle following the breakdown of the only double-cabin pick-up and yet transport was very vital during this crisis period.
In his response, the minister promised to send more relief to the affected people and a team of officials to negotiate with the owners of the land in Bwikhonge and Bunambutye.
He, however, warned of dire consequences for anybody found selling relief food meant for the displaced communities who have abandoned their homes for fear of being hit by landslides as rains continue to pound the district.
Mallinga urged the district leadership to provide pit-latrine slabs and construct pit-latrines on high grounds to assist communities as an emergency measure to avert disease outbreaks while concerned central government ministries mobilise resources.