Richard Odur, a resident of Abino A village in Muchora parish explains that living on the island is now a big challenge because there is only a small portion of land to dig and attending to medical emergencies is a great challenge.
Geoffrey Ocen, the District LCV chairperson says over 65% of the entire road network in the district has been affected by the floods. Adding that their attempts to fix it has been futile since the water levels keeps rising.
The floods have submerged several kilometres of the district’s land and roads, disconnecting a number of communities. Crop gardens that had initially survived the drought are now submerged.
Alfred Ebong, a resident of Ocamolum parish says he almost lost his 4-year-old son when he failed to get to the health center due to the floods. Adding that he resorted to treating the child with local herbs for three days before the canoe became operational to cross to the other side.
The disease has affected at least 10 households from two villages in Akongomit parish. A total of 18 children, the youngest being 6 months and 3 adults in Alongotidi village have presented with systems similar to scabies while another case has been reported in a neighbouring village of Oturulakodal.
Despite the growth in the number and sizes of fish in the lake, most of the fishermen in Kampala landing site are still registering very low fish catch that has left them stranded.
The most affected sub-counties are Namusale, Awelu, Etam, Agikdak, Akwon, Muntu, Awingiri, Nalibwoyo, and Opali. The floods have submerged several homes, pit latrines and crop gardens leaving residents with nowhere to turn for help.
Currently, a 28 feet recommended boat size is being built by Kyalimba Construction Company at Bangaladesh landing site in Namasale sub county. 56 out of the 846 boats expected for the start are already furnished.
MV Kyoga 1 currently grounded due to high level of water that has submerged the docking area at Namasale point while MV Kyoga 2 has developed mechanical problems which has deterred it from operating.
The group of about 100 soldiers was deployed along Lake Kyoga and Kwania from the 5th division to boost security operations against illegal fishing practices. Such operations were initially conducted by police, marine squad with the backing of the fisheries departments, beach management units and task force.
