The Speaker of Parliament, Anitah Among has tasked the government to scale up on the efforts invested in addressing the effects of climate-change triggered crises which have repeatedly claimed hundreds of lives in the recent past.
Her remarks were triggered by the July 31st floods that roiled huge swaths of Elgon region, leaving more than 20 dead, hundreds displaced, and most communities in trepidation.
Floods caused havoc in Mbale and Kapchorwa districts last week
The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja was in Mbale City over the weekend in response to the floods that have displaced scores and killed 24 persons, Speaker Anita Among has directed that the Premier goes back to closely monitor the situation.
Among specifically beckoned the government to fast implement early warning measures to enable residents avert from calamity-prone areas.
“I urge the executive to establish a reliable disaster early warning system to save the lives of the people. We also need to scale up on climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions for sustainable development,”
The call from the Speaker comes three days after the Prime Minister failed to deliver a quick response and evacuation plan for the victims.
Nabbanja visited the area on Sunday and pledged to send experts, including marine officers to help in recovery of the missing bodies.
“I was sent here by the President to assess and where necessary to give support to exhume and evacuate the bodies,” she said.
The Speaker’s clarion call was welcomed by legislators who equally demanded that the Prime Minister deliver on her promise and also offer an immediate short-, mid- and long-term solution.
Chief Opposition Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe faulted the rescue teams on ground saying that they lack skills in rescuing flood victims.
“Even if there are UPDF and police rescue teams, they were sleeping on job. Even when they were called to help, they could not. The retrieved bodies were courtesy of locals,” he said.
The Prime Minister informed legislators that the government will urgently embark on restoration of damaged infrastructure in the affected areas.
“Government through the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, under the office of the Prime Minister has provided relief food to the tune of 90 metric tons to Mbale City, Kapchorwa and Mbale district,” said Nabbanja.
She said that the government has intensified early warning mechanisms using information from the National Metrological Authority and using various media channels like radios and televisions to alert people on pending disasters.
“Police will set up roadblocks to prevent people from crossing dangerous bridges and other locations in case of imminent danger,” she said.
The Premier also said that people who settled in wetlands or settled close to river banks and forests will be evicted.
