The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja has rushed to Mbale District to assess effects of floods that ravaged the area on Saturday night.
Mbale woke to a terrible disaster with River Nabuyonga breaking it’s banks after all-night rain.
The same happened on River Namatsi and River Namatala.
Houses, hotels, cars, factories were submerged and scores feared dead.
Some of the bodies, were seen afloat flooded riverbanks, according to onlookers
According to an emergency update on disasters in Mbale, Sironko and Kapchorwa, by the Uganda Red Cross, the heavy and extended rains that started about 8pm on 30th July 2022 in Eastern Uganda, have left 7 people dead in Mbale.
Irene Nakasiita, the Director Communications & Partnerships at the Uganda Red Cross said th most affected areas are Namabasa, Bugwere Cell and Bungoko subcounty (in 3 villages).
In Kapchorwa 3 are dead, 4 injured and referred to Kapchorwa main hospital.
The most affected areas are Kapsida subcounty, Chemalim village, Tuyobei Parish.
In Sironko district, the most affected areas are, Villages around Sironko Town Council, Bukise Sub County, Busambya, Bumukha, Doko, Nabirete, Dorcus, Bukiyende, Namirende.
The number of Households affected is 480. No death or injuries reported.
In Bulambuli district, the affected include Dwikhonge Sub county, Duwadwala Parish: Villages of Diwadwala, Busiyango, Buyakha, Bunabalayo, Kori, Sipi, Bumugoya, Labongo Sub county, Mpumbura parish, Muyende Sub County.
No death reported, no injuries, the Households are 672
In Bukedea, the Areas affected include Busano Village, Aminit Sub-County, Nakasiita, Naksiita, said the data on households and people affected coming in later.
Districts/Areas on high alert: Butalejja, Soroti, Katakwi, Amuria:
Nabbanja during her visit to the affected areas said she was sent by President Museveni to assess the situation.
She said the president is aware of this disaster, and everything possible is being done to rescue the situation.
While in Mbale, Nabbanja and other technical officials will visit some affected areas and conduct meetings to discuss a wayforward.
Confirming the magnitude of the floods, the Uganda National Roads Authority, said, “Woke up to catastrophic effects of flooding in the Eastern part of Uganda. Our road network is equally affected; mudslides cutting off access along Mbale—Nkokonjeru road at Km 08 to 13 & along Mbale—Soroti rd at Nabuyonga Bridge. Inspections are ongoing for needed interventions.”