Ministry of Disaster Preparedness has asked government for additional Shs66b to respond to the impact of the current torrential rains which have caused havoc in the country.
The Ministry has so far spent Shs40bn since April 2020 which was used to purchase food, non-food items and relocating affected victims.
“We are requesting for Shs66billion because the problem expanded to even other areas which were never affected,†Hilary Onek, the minister for Disaster Preparedness said while speaking to the Journalists at Uganda Media Centre on Thursday.
Statistics show that more than a million people have been directly affected by the disasters that include landslides and floods caused by seasonal torrential rains.
Onek said roughly 300,000 people have been displaced by lakes and rivers that have overflown into their land and homes in different parts of the country.
Some of the districts affected by this phenomenon include communities along the shores of lakes such as Albert that has affected the districts of Buliisa, Hoima, Kikuube, Kagadi and Ntoroko.
In the mountainous areas of Elgon, Onek said the situation is also appalling noting that close to 567 from 81 families have been displaced in Busaano sub county, Mbale district.
He said communities in various districts surrounding Lake Victoria have also been displaced due to floods.
“Mothers and children were affected most with huge needs ranging from lack of warm clothes, food, and all basic needs for them to cope with the bad weather amidst displacement,†he said.
He said most plantations were washed away and there is general fear among residents due to heavy rains which are continuing.
Communities at high risk have been advised to relocate and stay with relatives and friends, according to the minister.
“As they move, government is supporting them together with host families with food and non-food relief items like blankets, tarpaulin, mosquito nets, etc,†he said.
Onek said government will continue to send early warning messages to the communities in disaster prone areas across the country.
“Specific alerts go to communities living in mountainous areas to move away from the steep slopes of the mountains, to go and stay with relatives in safer zones,†he said.
He said due to heavy rains received currently, water levels have increased in all rivers and lakes in the country leading to floods and displacement of communities.