Kasese Residents Warn as Rivers Rise, Flood Risk Increases

Residents in parts of Kasese District have been urged to remain on high alert as water levels in River Nyamwamba, River Mubuku, and River Nyamugasani continue to rise sharply, raising fears of possible flooding. The most affected areas include Kyondo, Majengo, and Kihara Road in Nyamwamba Division, where residents report that the fast-rising water is already eroding riverbanks and threatening homes.

Emmanuel Katuramu, the LC I chairperson of Kyondo Village, said residents are deeply concerned. “The river has continued eating up the banks towards people’s houses,” he said, calling on local leaders and technical teams to urgently find ways of diverting the water back to its original channel to ensure safety.

Mustafa Kikusa, chairperson of the Kasese District Disaster Management Committee and Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, advised residents to stay away from river valleys and low-lying areas. He noted that early warning systems indicate drastic rises in rivers such as Nyamwamba and Mubuku, and urged residents living adjacent to riverbanks to evacuate for their own safety.

Stephen Bwambale, a resident of Kyondo, said that each rainy season leaves them terrified and uncertain of when the next disaster may strike. In nearby Kanyangeya Village, residents were shaken after a house collapsed during a heavy downpour, leaving a seven-year-old boy with minor leg injuries. Isemamba Deo, LC 1, chairperson of Kanyangeya, explained that the house, constructed with marram, had weakened over time, making it vulnerable to the effects of heavy rains.

Local authorities say they are closely monitoring the situation and have urged communities to take the warnings seriously, report any signs of bank collapse or unusual water movement, and be ready to move to safer ground if conditions worsen.