KAMPALA: Speaker of Ugandan Parliament, Anita Among has led the house in paying tribute to the over 100 people that are reported to have lost their lives in the Kenya floods 2024 that happened in Nairobi-Kenya and asked Government to make preparations in case such a disaster occurs in Uganda.
Various parts in East Africa are witnessing devastating floods during the ongoing heavy rains, for example in Kenya, the rains have not only destroyed the vast property and infrastructure, but also claimed lives. I condole with my brothers and sisters in the region,” said Among.
Anita Among made the remarks on Tuesday April 30, 2024 during a plenary session at Parliament in Kampala. According to Isaac Mwaura, the government spokesperson the estimated death toll was 103 people, “with the Rift Valley being the worst hit”. In a post on X, Mwaura said 185,297 had been displaced adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing as well as efforts to support people as the Kenya floods kept on.
People could be heard screaming as the packed boat sank, and onlookers gasped in shock as the footage was broadcast on television and shared online. Because there are already parts in Eastern Uganda experiencing floods. The Speaker urged government to make preparations incase the disaster expedited.
“In Uganda, some parts of Eastern Uganda like Elgon, Teso sub-region are currently suffering with floods and disruption of livelihood. There is need for us to prepare for any disaster that is both coming, we need to get prepared for that disaster and ensure that our people don’t suffer the same,” said Among.
Flooding incidents have been registered among countries in the Eastern African region, and on Sunday, a woman and her baby died in the Rwandan capital, Kigali when heavy rainfall caused their house to collapse, police said.
Scientists say Climate change is causing more intense and frequent extreme weather events. In the March, UN, meteorological Organisation said that the latest El Nino was one of the five strongest ever recorded.
