More calls have been made for people living in areas around mountain Rwenzori to vacate and move to safer places after river Nyamwamba burst its banks again on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, after the night heavy down pour.

The incident affected villages of Nyakasanga, Kitooro and Mawa market causing panic among the residents.

The State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku Kabyanga who also hails from the region said that the incident was surprising as the rains were unexpected.

While assessing the situation in Kasese on Thursday, June 22, 2023, after the attacks and bursting of river Nyamwamba, Minister Kabyanga advised families in the affected villages to relocate before another catastrophe befalls them.

“The message to the people who are in the low lands, they should get off the river catchment area. Because now Nyamwamba has become totally untamable. So let people get out of the river catchment area,” Kabyanga said.

He attributed the incident to deforestation and poor farming methods that have left large areas of land plain and without trees.

“All these mountains you see here were covered with trees. But you can see here, people came and cut them and started putting up houses and their gardens,” Kabyanga noted.

He stressed that it is very unfortunate and very surprising that the river can flood in June because in Kasese, June and July are supposed to be dry seasons.

“The rains were expected in August but shockingly, they have continued up to June,” Kabyanga revealed.

The Uganda Red Cross action teams continue with the rapid risk assessment and are working with local authorities to alert the community members about the risk, especially those near the water way and in town by advising them to vacate.

The teams are also issuing advisories at both household and community level through local radio stations.

Flooding in the area occurs every year and has caused untold damage to property, infrastructure and loss of lives.