KAMPALA – The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has announced its own fundraising drive to save victims of floods that ravaged Kasese District about three weeks ago, saying that the government has not done enough.
Over 100,000 people are currently living in makeshift shelters in Kasese after five main rivers in the area burst their banks early this month, unleashing huge volumes of water into people’s homes, schools and hospitals. On May 21, two other rivers burst their banks near Uganda-DRC border, killing eight people and destroying homes.
According to FDC president Patrick Amuriat Oboi, there is need for immediate assistance for the victims.
“Certainly, People that were displaced and currently living in camps need immediate response in terms of sanitary ware, and establishment of tentative medical camps to enable treatment of patients from within the camps since transport has been affected with the broken bridges,” he said in a press release issued on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
“The Forum for Democratic Change in conjunction with the People’s Government henceforth launches an appeal to to be called RESTORING HOPE AND LIVES to aid the People of Kasese now living in desperate conditions in camps,” he added.
Mr Amuriat said that the effort will be managed by the FDC National Task Force headed by Roland Kaginda Mugume, the Party Deputy Chairman and deputised by William Nzoghu, the Party Deputy President.
“We appeal for any kind of humanitarian aid in form of food, warm clothing, blankets or any materials and financial assistance to be channeled through the committee. Any material assistance can be delivered immediately to the FDC headquarters beginning today Tuesday 26th May 2020,” he added.
He also revealed that the FDC Task Force will also be making written appeals and will be happy to collect any assistance from well wishers.
“We are encouraged by those who have already responded to our appeal and wish to thank individuals and groups for that goodwill gesture. The first consignment of support will be reaching the victims of this natural catastrophe before the end of this week,” he added.