Severe Flooding in Katakwi District Causes Widespread Damage to Crops, Homes, and Infrastructure
Katakwi district has been severely affected by flooding caused by nearly two weeks of heavy rainfall, resulting in the submersion of crop gardens, destruction of residences, and the closure of roads due to water-logging.
Our correspondent visited parts of the villages of Goshen, Palam, and Dokomer prisons in Katakwi town council and Palam sub-county, where the situation is dire. Administrators reported drowned crops and collapsed buildings, highlighting the extent of the disaster.
James Stephen Ilakut of the LC1 defense in Dokomer cell stated that over 20 crop gardens have been inundated, and ten buildings have been destroyed by the floodwaters.
Alex Omulen, a resident of Goshen in the western ward of Katakwi town council, shared that his family of six is now living in a single kitchen after his two main houses collapsed. He lamented that the floods caused a double loss—destroying both his property and garden crops—and noted that a Ugx 300,000 television was destroyed when a wall fell.
Kam Okello, interim LC1 chairperson of Goshen Cell and also serving as the General Secretary of Dokomer cell, reported that approximately 100 gardens and 10 houses have been damaged due to the floods. He called on the district disaster committee to intervene by providing food relief, and emphasized the urgent need to repair roads, such as the Bidandi Sale road, which has been washed away by floodwaters, cutting off access to affected areas.
Residents like Alex Omulen also expressed concern over health issues, noting that the moist floors caused by flooding have led to frequent medical expenses for his expectant wife, Irene Atino. Anna Grace Imalingat from Goshen mentioned that her family has been forced to eat only one meal per day since their cassava, groundnut, and potato gardens have been swamped and rotting.
Grace Alupo, also from Goshen Cell, warned that the community is at risk of starvation and waterborne diseases, as children are suffering from cold-related illnesses due to the poor sanitation and contaminated water sources.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Omolo, the LC5 Chairperson of Katakwi district and a member of the district disaster committee, confirmed that several gardens have been submerged and roads cut off. He noted that some of the devastated roads, including Bidandi Sale road, are among the 12 kilometers of roads in the town council scheduled for urgent repairs.
Residents are now appealing to the government, through the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and the Office of the Prime Minister, to provide emergency supplies such as tapelines, gumboots, and chlorine for water treatment to help prevent waterborne diseases and assist in disaster response.
