By URN
More than 1,000 homesteads in Butiaba town council and Butiaba sub-county in Buliisa district have been submerged by fresh floods resulting from the rising water levels of Lake Albert. The most affected people are from Magali, Triangle, Piida A and B, Kigangaizi, Kawaibanda, Butiaba, Boma, Kekeya, Tugombili, Walukuba, Bugoigo, Kamagongoro, Kigungu, Serule and Waisoki landing sites. According to the residents, the water levels started rising in the district in August.
Uganda Radio Network (URN) visited the area and found that the majority of the affected people are sleeping under trees, in the nearby churches and schools. Others are being accommodated at Butiaba Market while others have erected makeshift structures.
The rising water is also on the verge of submerging Butiaba Primary School, a situation that has compelled many learners to abandon the school. Gilbert Olar, a resident of Kigangaizi cell in Butiaba town council whose home has been submerged states that the floods started while he was asleep inside his house. He was forced to abandon the home in the middle of the night after it was completely submerged.
John Bikobo, a resident of Kekeya landing site who is also being accommodated at Butiaba market appealed to the government to acquire land and relocate them to a safer place.
Rogers Kusiima, a fisherman at Bugoigo landing site says that despite the havoc caused by the floods, no help has been accorded to them by the government.
Jacqueline Kyomuhendo, a mother of six says the current situation is out of hand since they do not have food, clean water, and medical supplies. She states that they could be hit by diseases such as cholera and Malaria.
Musa Asaba, the Butiaba town Council LC3 Chairperson says immediate government intervention is needed since the flood victims are undergoing untold suffering. According to Musa, his office has already petitioned the district disaster management committee for help and appeals to the Office of the Prime Minister to immediately respond and provide relief items to the affected communities.
Fred Lukumu, the Buliisa LC5 Chairperson says that the destruction caused by the floods in Buliisa is too much stating that most people are homeless and cannot afford food. He too states that his office has alerted the office of the prime minister for quick action.
According to Lukumu, the district is incapacitated to accommodate all the flood victims.  In 2020, more than 3,500 families in Buliisa were displaced by floods, resulting in significant property damage. Many of those displaced were forced to seek refuge in churches, schools, or makeshift shelters, while others waited for government intervention to no avail.
Some of the victims have since returned to reoccupy their dilapidated homes despite the risks. The floods then also submerged Butiaba Health Center III premises following the rising water levels in Lake Albert.  The floods submerged staff quarters, maternity, male and female wards, stores, and the Outpatient Department -OPD among other facilities at the health center.
It also cut off the roads leading to the health facility making it difficult for patients to access it.
