By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
The Forum for Democratic Change – FDC has lashed out against Government for failing to quickly respond to the raising number of natural disasters that are ravaging different parts of the country caused by heavy rains.
FDC expressed concern that whereas the country is currently facing daily heavy downpours, response from the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has been slow leaving scores of affected persons hopeless.
They claim that Ugandans have registered loss to property, crops, shelter, and loss of life in some areas but Government is keeping a deaf ear to come to their aid.
“We are concerned with the way the Government is handling the recent floods in different parts of the country.
The government through the Office of of Prime Minister being slow to respond to the disaster and failing to provide adequate support to affected communities. The government’s response to the floods has been inadequate and ineffective and that the President M7’s government has been “missing in action” during the crisis,” FDC said.
Over the last weeks, many parts of the country including Mpigi, Kalungi, Dokolo, and recently Kasese and Bunyangabu districts have been affected with floods caused by heavy rains leading to loss of life and property.
But FDC says the government is not doing enough to prevent the floods, despite warnings from meteorologists and other experts. They said the delayed response to mitigate floods and supply relief items has caused frustration and anger among many affected areas.
They suggested seven measures to mitigate floods and tasked the government to prioritize the plight of Ugandans by providing emergency aid to the affected people. The measures include:
- Watershed management: Protect and restore wetlands, forests, and water sources to reduce runoff and absorb excess water.
2: Flood-resistant infrastructure: Build flood-resistant homes, roads, and bridges to minimize damage.
3: Early warning systems: Establish effective early warning systems to alert communities of impending floods.
4: Drainage systems: Improve drainage infrastructure in urban areas to reduce flooding.
5: Climate-smart agriculture: Promote farming practices that adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce soil erosion.
6: Community education: Raise awareness among communities on flood risk reduction and management.
7: Government policies: Encourage government policies that prioritize flood risk management and climate change adaptation.
When implemented, these measures will according to the FDC can help reduce the impact of floods in Uganda’s lowlands and protect communities and ecosystems.
