Kasim Akule, the LC I Chairperson of Lorikwo West Cell of Elegu explains that the floods destroyed homes, shops, restaurants and the only market and public toilet facilities following days of a heavy downpour.
More than 4,000 people have been left homeless after floods submerged Elegu Town Council, at the Uganda-South Sudan border in Amuru District.
The floods occurred after River Unyama, a tributary to River Aswa burst its banks on Monday.
Local authorities in the area have registered 4,000 families whose houses have either collapsed or flooded. According to the latest statistics from the district, the Town Council is home to more than 13,000 people.
Kasim Akule, the LC I Chairperson of Lorikwo West Cell of Elegu explains that the floods destroyed homes, shops, restaurants and the only market and public toilet facilities following days of heavy downpour.
Aisha Bako, one of the affected residents says that she and the neighbours have sought refuge along the tarmacked Atiak – Nimule highway after their homes were submerged, adding they now need urgent relief assistance.
Michael Lakony, the Amuru LCV Chairperson says that the floods have also paralyzed transport as hundreds of cargo trucks on transit to South Sudan have been affected by the flash floods. He added the district is helpless and does not have resources to address the situation.
In 2016, the Department of Relief Disaster Preparedness and Management in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) profiled Amuru including Elegu as one of the most dangerous and flood prone areas in the country.
A 2019 tripartite deal of 1.9 billion Shillings signed between the Amuru District, TradeMark East Africa and Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives to widen the banks of River Unyama to avert the floods have been disrupted by the outbreak of COVID-19.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Elegu border is responsible for between at least 90 per cent for the goods and services that enter South Sudan though Nimule.
