Summary:
- The flooding has affected several neighboring sub-counties, including Aeleyang-Obulejet, Palam, Okore, Guyaguya in Ameritele, and Aakum, Okulonyo in Okuliak-Adacar-Namemdera. Areas in Ngariam, Ongongoja in Angolekit, Obwobwo parish, and Magoro have also been impacted, though some are only partially affected.
KATAKWI: Following the recent heavy downpours, flash floods have displaced numerous residents, damaged crops, and cut off access to essential social services such as road networks, markets, and health facilities.
William Opoo, a farmer from Otome village in Palam Sub County, reported that over 100 gardens have been destroyed. He urged the government to provide tents, medical supplies for those unable to access healthcare services, and relief aid as part of an emergency response.
Grace Lukol, 60, another resident of Palam, expressed her distress over the situation. She feels ashamed as she now shares the last remaining house with a family of ten due to the floods.
Many residents have sought refuge in churches, schools, hospitals, and sub-county headquarters. David Ogwapit, who oversees Palam Health Center III, said the facility housed 15 flood victims on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, but that latrine flooding has become a significant concern.
David Okodi, headteacher of Palam Primary School, which also sheltered flood victims, voiced his worries about the decreasing number of students attending classes due to the flooding.
Former Palam District Councilor and flood victim Charles Asede estimates a personal loss of over UGX 100 million from his 16 acres of crops. He pleaded for government assistance in providing disaster relief supplies, tents, and other necessities.
Katakwi district, being in a low-lying basin, suffers from water logging due to runoff from the highlands of Karamoja. The flooding has affected several neighboring sub-counties, including Aeleyang-Obulejet, Palam, Okore, Guyaguya in Ameritele, and Aakum, Okulonyo in Okuliak-Adacar-Namemdera. Areas in Ngariam, Ongongoja in Angolekit, Obwobwo parish, and Magoro have also been impacted, though some are only partially affected.
Geoffrey Omolo, the LC5 Chairperson of Katakwi, stated that the district’s 700-kilometer road network has been partially flooded, making travel nearly impossible. He noted that the district recently completed roads costing UGX 630 million, but they have been damaged by the floods. Omolo expressed concern over public perception, fearing that citizens may accuse the government of corruption or substandard work when floodwaters damage new roads.
He also raised concerns about the potential outbreak of diseases due to the delayed government intervention.
“Katakwi district has 20 sub-counties, and all of them have been submerged, especially those bordering the Karamoja sub-region,” Omolo said.
Retired Major Godfrey Katamba, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and Chairperson of the District Security Committee, said the disaster is hampering efforts to track the footprints of stolen cattle by suspected Karimojong raiders.
He also noted that the flooding has affected communication, making security responses slower because many roads are submerged.
Katamba advocated for the decentralization of disaster relief funds to local governments to deal with small-scale emergencies and called for the establishment of permanent resettlement areas for disaster victims.
Daniel Mulalu, Private Secretary in the Office of the President in charge of Political Mobilizations and Affairs, visited the flood victims in Palam Sub County and described the situation as dire.
He promised to prepare a report urging the government to respond to the emergency. Mulalu, who is also the Executive Director of the Kazi Ni Kazi Foundation and an aspirant for Ngariam County, pledged to write to the offices of the vice president, president, and prime minister to secure tents, relief items, and medical supplies for the affected people.
“As a staff member at State House, I will lobby both the central government and private entities to ensure that my people are rescued from the floods,” Mulalu added.
He further emphasized the need for permanent resettlement areas to protect future disaster victims.
