A number of districts in the Bugisu Sub-region periodically suffer disasters such as floods and mudslides during the rainy season due to the hilly terrain, leaving lives lost and property destroyed. 

At least five people died a week ago in Bulambuli District after mudslides submerged their houses following heavy rains.

In a bid to curb these effects of climate change in the region, the Mbale district authorities, in partnership with the African Women and Youth Action for Development (AWYAD) have designed a contingency plan to prevent, prepare for and mitigate disasters.

Regina Mutuwa Mabonga, the Chairperson of the Mbale Disaster Management Committee noted that on several occasions, disasters have found the leadership in Mbale and other districts in the Bugisu sub-region totally unprepared without any strategic plan to respond to disasters. So there was an urgent need to design a contingency plan.

Ms. Mabonga says there is an urgent need to save lives and prevent the displacement and destruction of property.

Mabonga explained that after the devastating flash floods in July 2022, the Mbale District Local Government partnered with the African Women and Youth Action for Development (AWYAD) to document the disaster-prone areas in a bid to design a contingency plan.

Steven Bwayo the Executive Director of AWYAD said that following the floods of July 2022 they mobilize relief support to the affected communities and also trained district leaders on preparing disaster contingency plans and also undertarking measures to mitigate the effects of disasters.

Bwayo, however, notes that the survivors of these disasters such as floods and mudslides may need to relocate to safer areas that require support from the government.

Ntalo John, the defense Secretary of the Masanda Ward Local Council in Mbale City appealed to the Office of the Prime Minister to relocate the locals living in disaster-prone areas to either the Bunambutye resettlement center or any other safer area.

According to Regina Mabonga, some of the disasters are man-made, especially with residents settling and farming around riverbanks. She said that they have intensified sensitization of the community to desist from degrading the environment and also cooperate in implementing the contingency plan.

Bududa, Manafwa and Bulambuli districts in Bugisu Sub-region periodically suffer disasters such as floods and mudslides during the rainy season due to the hilly terrain. Over the years, hundreds of lives have been lost and property worth millions of shillings destroyed. 

Ayub