More than 80 pupils in Kyankwanzi District were forced to turn back home after River Kafu burst its bank.
The pupils are from St.Henry’s Katereiga and Katereiga Parents’ Primary Schools in Buhanika sub-county, Hoima district.
River Kafu which serves as the border between the Hoima and Kyankwanzi districts burst its banks on Monday following heavy rains paralyzing transport between Hoima and Kyankwanzi Districts.
By Tuesday morning, the water levels had increased and the entire bridge completely submerged.
The pupils who used to cross over the Kafu bridge to go and study on the Hoima side were all blocked from accessing their schools since they could not manage to cross the flooded bridge.
Francis Wobusobozi, the headteacher of St.Mary Katereiga Primary School says 35 pupils from Kyankwanzi district have all been blocked from accessing the school.
He says this is likely to affect the learning of the pupils as they will be compelled to stay home for a long until the water levels are reduced.
He however says the floods have not affected students in candidate classes since they are all in boarding.
Edward Bigirwa, the headteacher of Katereiga Parents, primary school says, more than 50 learners from Kyankwanzi who at his school have all been blocked from accessing the school.
He says the children are currently stranded at their parents’ homes with no other alternative. He fears that the continuous rising water levels on the bridge could adversely affect the performance of the children since this is a promotional term.
Jamil Kasangaki, the Buhanika sub-county LCIII Chairperson who neighbors Kyankwanzi district says, the situation is unbearable adding that by Tuesday, the water levels had increased than it was on Monday evening. He says at the moment, no person can cross the bridge.
Wycliff Alinda, a resident of Katereiga says, the floods blocked some pupils on the Hoima side before they could cross back to their parents’ homes on the Kyankwanzi side. He says some of the pupils are now being accommodated by their relatives.
Amuza Nyego, a parent and a resident of Kikonda in Kyankwanzi district says, all his five children are currently stranded at home as they cannot manage to cross the flooded bridge. He called on the government to find an alternative for the children to ensure that they access their schools.
Harriet Kihumuro, the Hoima District Education officer-DEO advised parents whose children have been blocked by the floods on the Kyankwanzi side to remain patient until the situation normalizes.
The police on Monday closed the Hoima-Kampala highway temporarily due to the River Kafu bursting its banks as a result of heavy rainfall, causing flooding.
The river overflowed on Monday evening around 5 p.m. disrupting transportation in the area. This occurred after prolonged heavy rainfall on Sunday, lasting for over 7 hours.
In November 2015, River Kafu burst its banks following heavy rains, leading to prolonged disruptions in transportation to and from Kampala along the same route.