Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), has provided essential non-food relief items to 280 households affected by the recent floods caused by the overflow of River Nyamwamba.

The distribution event, held at Nyakasanga playground in Kasese District, was led by Lt. Joe Walusimbi, the area Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and Frank Namara, URCS Operations Manager.

The event was also attended by Kasese Municipality MP, Kambale Frigo, and the Principal Assistant Secretary from the Office of the CAO, Mustafa Kikusa, who also chairs the Kasese District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC).

Lt. Walusimbi commended URCS for their swift response, coming just days after nearly 300 families were displaced by the floods, which left many in urgent need of basic supplies.

Kambale Frigo, the legislator for Kasese Municipality, assured the affected families that the Office of the Prime Minister, under directives from the President, would dispatch engineers to assess the recurrent flooding of River Nyamwamba and devise long-term solutions.

“The engineers will investigate the root causes of these frequent floods and submit a report within a month,” Kambale explained.

He also expressed gratitude to both URCS and the Office of the Prime Minister for their timely support to the affected families.

Frank Namara, URCS Operations Manager, urged recipients not to sell the relief items, emphasizing their importance for the well-being of the community.

He also encouraged residents to heed early warning messages and follow disaster mitigation measures to minimize the impact of future floods.

One of the beneficiaries, 78-year-old Bwamite Thomas from Saluti A village, expressed his gratitude for the aid.

“The floods washed away all my utensils, but thanks to URCS, I no longer need to rely on my neighbours. I now have my own plates and cups,” he said.

In early September, heavy rainfall in Kasese Municipality triggered devastating floods, affecting at least thirteen villages in Nyamwamba Division. Over 1,000 households were impacted by flash floods, with more than 250 homes submerged.

An initial assessment by URCS & local authorities identified several affected villages, including Kitoro Cell, Acholiquaters, Mumbuzi, Base Camp Lower, Kizungu, Nyakasanga West, Kisanga A, Kisanga B, Saluti A and B, Kamulikwizi, Kikonzo, and Kisagazi.