Gov’t Seeks Shs125bn for R. Nyamwamba Management
By Stephen Wandera Ouma
KASESE – The Ministry of Water and Environment has applied for funding from the Exim Bank and the African Development Bank to construct infrastructure along River Nyamwamba. The heavy rains in the Rwenzori region are cause for much concern because of the resulting floods, displacement of people and loss of life, and destruction of property in recent years.
The calamity-prone area is the 25-square-kilometer occupied by the villages of Kyambogho, Masule, and Kanjuki, along the banks of the Nyamwamba in Kasese.
“River Nyamwamba requires an estimate of Shs125bn for long-term structural adjustment to have long-term impact. Of the 4.5 kilometers where interventions were made in the last two years, the floods are more voluminous but without human loss of life or physical infrastructure. While the bridge at Katiri is standing, the hydropower station and the schools are standing, the intervention is a long-term solution to the floods,” said Steven Ogwete, Principal Engineer, Ministry of Water and Environment.
He elaborated, “As we deal with structural infrastructure up the Rwenzori Mountain, we want to handle the nonstructural matters like reforestation of 18 percent forest cover lost in the mountain by planting bamboo in the low laying areas. We shall sensitize the local communities on environmental protection.”
Eng. Ogwete spoke at a meeting where Uganda Kabamba Military Academy cadet officers bench marked Kasese district that has partially managed disasters caused by the outbursts of River Nyamwamba. Officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment, World Vision, and the National Youth Organization for Development attended.
Mr Byamungu Elias, the Kasese district Chief Administrative Officer welcomed the development as he called for a permanent solution to the flooding.
“Historically, River Nyamwamba regularly busts its banks from May 2nd to 9th, which the communities believe is the god ‘kasamba’ punishment of the people’s misbehavior,” he said and further explained that the floods were a consequence of its natural course diversion by a Canadian company, an investor in Kasese in the past times.
He said the Ministry of Water and Environment has engaged a consultant to make new designs for the development of the river infrastructures.
“I am talking to the commissioner of disaster, the municipal council must find a long-term solution, which could mean shifting the municipality to another location,” He added,” Kasese is profiled globally and there will be a summit in December in Cape Town to seek for funding of disaster-prone cities including Kasese Municipality.”
Kasese district, Resident District Commissioner, (Rtd) Lieutenant Walusimbi John urged the cadets to be disciplined, and patriotic and protect Uganda. Speaking at the same meeting Ms Akol Mary Hellen, Disaster Manager, World Vision revealed that there is a start fund of Shs1.2 billion for the flood victims in the district.
The National Youth Organization for Development, Executive Director, Tumwinne Yassin called for the construction of River Nyamwamba infrastructure as it affects downstream agriculture. “Minerals strains from the mountains have been seen in crops Mubuku and very soon our French beans may be rejected on the international market,” he said.
