By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
MBARARA
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officials have warned the public about the the river Rwizi status and people living in all areas that have been affected by flush floods and mudslides.
Speaking to parrots, Jeconious Musingwire the regional manager NEMA said that the flooding of rivers and other water bodies is as a result of environmental encroachment and miss use of natural resources.
He said very many wet lands have been destroyed at a high speed and these are the water pathways.
Reports indicate that over 14 bridges have been destroyed by the flooding water in the districts of Ntungamo and Mbarara as confirmed by Mucunguzi Sam the Ntungamo district chairman .
It’s from this background that Musingwire warns all people staying and carrying out any activity around wet lands and other natural resources to vacate because they expect more rainfall in the month of May to avoid destruction of their property or even loss of lives.
According to Musingwire, most districts in western Uganda have experienced flush floods and mudslides. These include Rukungiri, Kanungu,Rubanda, Rukiga and Kasese where the country is losing her citizens.
Musingwire also called upon the government to think about increasing funds in such sectors noting that sometimes they lack funds to address such challenges.
Some of the locals that have been using the affected bridges have asked government to intervene because they are facing challenges crossing to the neighborhood to work.
Locals in Kitebero said it’s now difficult for them to access medical services since the bridge that connects to Mbarara regional referral hospital and other facilities in town was affected.
