Having heard the many reports on mass media
about the floods in Kasese together with my colleagues at office we decided to spend
our greater morning of Wednesday 14th May, 2014 in Kilembe.
What is reported on television is just a clip of what took place in
Kasese on Thursday 8th May 2014 The
place that used to be home for many is
filled with big stones and rocks. The Kilembe mines offices which used to be
striking and confortable, is host of a river
that washed away some structures. One
could not resist the depressed faces of the residents who are living on hope that
humanitarian aid and the government would come to rescue them from the situation.
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| RWECO staff monitoring in Kilembe 14th May, 2014 |
The most touching experience was at Katiri
Primary school where the flood found the
head teacher and primary seven pupils in class. The situation was so
alarming that the head teacher and the pupils
had to evacuate through the window. Under normal circumstances the windows were
high for a human being to pass through but the little children managed to
escape death amidst all the circumstances though they are now nursing browses.
The courage of the children to reinstate
their school was a great motivation for
me as by 12th may 2014
morning the children were busy removing water and silt from the classes even
without a formal call by the headmistress.
The headmistress of Katiri primary school was encouraged by efforts of
the pupils but however complained that the thieves broke the school cupboard to
steal books and other relevant information of the school.
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| Pupils of Katiri Primary School, wondering what next after the school was flooded. These pupils came to clean up on Monday with their Headteacher. |
Bulembia Primary school was the most affected school of all as the
river burst its banks and washed away a 2
classroom block with all its furniture. Other classroom blocks were weakened by the water and the big question remain whether or not the school will be able to
open on Monday 19th May, 2014 as other schools open.
It was shocking to also observe that part of the
Kilembe mines offices were also washed away by the floods while the remaining
part is hanging in the middle of the flowing river that burst its banks. In my view the offices are not safe for human
settled because they were weakened by
the floods. Also the road that was
reconstructed a few months ago is the new course of river Nyamwamba, however on
critical observation, tarmac on the drive way was just a small layer in a lay man’s
language!!! . UNRA should do a value for money audit even when the road was
washed away by the floods.
 |
| Bulembia Primary school was totally washed away. Where will the children Go!!! Hope the Presidents visit to the affected families and institutions on Wednesday 14th May, 2014 will bring hope to the citizens. |
In my
view the floods in Kilembe caused total destructruction which will not require renovation and relief
aid but reconstruction to enable people continue living without having to worry
about the next the rain. I have been humbled by the efforts of the local
leaders of Kasese, Hima Cement and Hima Tibeti and CSO for their endavour to desilt the river as well as counsel the local population
around Kilembe. Man should also be blamed
for degrading the environment because of Human activities around the river
banks, climate change have caused havoc to human life. The condition at Kilembe is a typical example
of how climate change can affect human being and as citizen of Uganda we
therefore need to protect our environment for a better tomorrow.
By RWECO Team
Sheila K, Gilbert m & Medrace
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