By Flavia Ajok
River Kafu flood affected victims in Kimengo Sub County in Masindi are upbeat after receiving relief food from the Kinyara Sugar Limited.
Flooding of River Kafu in November this year devastated several communities in Masindi districts leaving over 500 families homeless.
The most affected families are from the villages of Karangwe, Kayera, Miyeba, Karwara, Kibanja, Kabogoba, Kingungulu, Nyakarongo, and Kididima among others all in Kimengo sub-county, Masindi District.
The floods also destroyed several hectares of crops including maize, cassava, banana plantations, rice, sorghum, beans, and groundnuts among others. According to the residents, the rising water levels and floods submerged their homes forcing them to seek refuge in churches, schools, and the Kimengo sub-county headquarters.
Bright Mugume, the Kimengo sub-county LCIII Chairperson says the current living conditions of the flood victims are appalling. He says most homes were last submerged by the floods that resulted from the rising water levels of River Kafu.
According to Mugume, they have been forced to accommodate the flood victims at the Kimengo sub-county headquarters, Kibanja church of Uganda, and Kayera public primary school.
On Friday, Kinyara Sugar Limited came to the rescue of the affected families with the provision of relief aid that included sugar, maize flour, maize seeds, bean seeds among others. This was during a function held at Kimengo sub county headquarters.
Kasimu Kabagonza, the vice LCV Masindi district has hailed Kinyara Sugar Limited for the support and urged  other investors in the district to also support the flood affected victims.
He advised the affected people not to sell the items given to them.
William Nsiimire, the senior environment officer Masindi district asks residents to stay away from wetlands and leave nature to take its course adding that people should to look for other places for settlement and agriculture.
She notes that settlement and farming in wetlands is the main cause of environmental disasters.
Emmy Ngabirano, the Masindi Resident District Commissioner emphasizes the importance of prioritizing preparedness as a means to mitigate the effects of potential disasters, rather than merely responding to them after they have occurred.
Ngabirano underscores the necessity for both leaders and local community members to embrace environmental conservation practices as a proactive measure in reducing such risks.
