Floods ravage Kisoro, over 150 families displaced

By Attractor Kamahoro

KISORO, Western Uganda - Floods from heavy rains that have hit Murora sub-county in Kisoro district, have left an estimated 150 families displaced.

Several houses have been destroyed while community roads have been eroded by the floods rendering them impassable.
Villages affected include Chibumba, Buyora, Ruhuri and Kooga.

Chibumba Primary School was submerged by the floods and the over 620 pupils were displaced as a result are attending classes from a nearby church building.

The head teacher Michael Kageyo said last week that plans were underway to transfer the pupils to the neighbouring Gatete Primary School.

Over 20 acres of crops mainly Irish potatoes and beans were submerged and other crops completely washed away by the floods.

Describing the situation as devastating, senior medical officer in charge of Bufumbira East constituency Dr. Benon Rukunda on warned of a possible disease outbreak especially dysentery and cholera due to fecal contaminated water sources.

"There is need for mobile toilets for churches hosting displaced persons and to intensify sensitization on sanitation," Dr. Rukunda said at one of the affected areas as the stench of decomposing crops and human excreta filled the air.

The Bufumbira East MP Eddie Kwizera said he has presented a report to the Office of the Prime Minister and relief items to the affected people would soon be delivered.

Kisoro district has two seasons whereby it is dry between June and August and the rest of the year is rainy.