Speaker, Anita Among has demanded immediate intervention for residents of the Kigezi-Rwenzori region who were affected by floods.
Reports indicated that 18 people died recently as mudslides swept away houses and roads in the districts of Rubanda, Kisoro and Rukiga in Kigezi region.
“We want to ask the Minister of Disaster to come and present immediate action they have taken on what is happening and the long term plans. It still takes us back to the need for a Disaster Commission; it is a constitutional right but we have paid a deaf ear to that,” Among said.
The Speaker said this in her communication to the House during plenary this month.
Among also urged residents in flood prone areas to be on alert following the onset of the rainy season.
“This is a common occurrence during the rainy season and people in Elgon region also need to be on alert because this has happened and it is going to continue happening. We must always be prepared for floods and droughts,” she said. The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Trade), Hon. David Bahati confirmed that the floods have so far killed 18 people, destroyed houses and washed away roads.
“The road from Katuna-Muko and the road to Lake Bunyonyi have all been destroyed by rain,” said Bahati.
He added that government has responded to the situation and will institute long term solutions to the floods and mudslides.
“We are doing all that we can to make sure that the situation at least temporarily improves as we plan for a lasting solution,” Bahati said.
It’s not the first time that floods are hitting the Rwenzori region. Floods have always hit eastern and northern regions especially in bugisu and teso regions destroying hundreds of properties and livestocks in addition to washing away homes.
Meanwhile, Col Nakalema was appointed head of new anti-corruption unit inside State House.
The former head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit Col Edith Nakalema will now head a new outfit inside the state house to protect investors from extortion and the need for bribes.
According to the new directives from President Museveni, the new anti-corruption unit will be named the State House Investors Protection Unit, and will sit close to him.
This is the second anti-corruption unit created by President Museveni and headed by Nakalema in less than five years.
The initial creation was meant to handle corrupt culprits that had eluded the Inspectorate General of Government (IGG) but it did not leave to its billing after it was also accused of hunting for petty thieves while leaving the filthy corrupt officials walking day and night.
Recently, President Museveni indicated that corruption was limiting Uganda’s chances of growing its economy, adding that he was going to get tough on the corrupt government officials and civil servants who are taking bribes and frustrating investors.The president said he would form another unit for the job soon■