KASESE – The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has established structures to respond to the flood situation in Bundibugyo and Kasese Districts. This includes airlift support services on call, search and rescue, and a unit for relocation established on ground to respond to the emergency.
Lt Col Denis Wanyama, the UPDF contingent from the 222 Mountain Infantry Brigade commander confirmed the development.
On Thursday, Dr Edward Wafula, the Hospital Medical Superintendent, said that water swept away the mortuary and the children ward of Kilembe Hospital.
He said over 200 patients were still stuck in some parts of the hospital.
This saw the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Hon Musa Ecweru being airlifted from Kololo Airstrip to Kasese District to coordinate Government efforts in response to the ravaging floods in the area.
Ecweru who pledged goverment support including food response to the victims, said he traveled to Kasese to assess the extent of damage and relief requirement for persons affected by floods.
Rivers; Nyamwamba, Nyamugasani and Mubuku on May 06, 2020 in Kasese and Bundibugyo Districts burst their banks due to heavy rainfall on the night of May 05, 2020.
Kilembe hospital was among the places gravely affected by the floods. The UPDF, Uganda Police Force, and Non Governmental Organizations have since been helping in the search and rescue of patients, attendants and medical workers cutoff by the floods plus the population in the neighborhood of the hospital. Local ambulance, facilitated by the joint efforts, is playing a significant role in the rescue and evacuation of the affected persons.
The floods also affected the general infrastructure and essential service provision in the affected districts. Roads and bridged were destroyed as well as electricity distribution services such as at Kasese, Kilembe mine and Tronder hydro power plants were gravely affected. Education institutions were also affected such as Bikone Primary School that was partially destroyed. Furthermore, Kanamba Health Centre lll was destroyed.