Residents of Nyabubare village in Kibuga Parish, Karusandara Sub-county in Kasese district are living in constant fear following the diversion of River Mubuku from its original course. The river has burst its banks, spilling into farms and gardens, threatening investments worth millions of shillings and leaving families with food insecurity.
Orikiriza Goeffrey a resident of Nyabubare village, he owns a piece of land worth 5 acres near the banks of River Mubuku but by the start of the rainy season, the land has become a water passage due to the diversion of the river.
Thungu Alice also a resident of this village narrated her ordeal, shared how the floods of river mubuku completely swept away her home, forcing her to seek refuge with neighbors however later on, she found a small place to rent for herself and her seven children.
local women have further raised alarms over an impending famine, as vast acres of crops have been washed away or submerged in water of this river.
Local leaders, led by Kamala Samuel – Karusandara Sub-county LC III Chairperson, have issued an urgent appeal for government intervention. They noted that the recurring flooding and diversion of water has paralyzed livelihoods for years, and without immediate exacavation to restore the river’s course, the village remains at the mercy of God.
In a bid to address the environmental degradation causing these frequent overflows and diversion of the river, Save the Children – Uganda in partnership with the Kasese District Local Government, has launched a massive bamboo tree-planting project along the banks of River Mubuku in Nyabubare.
The project aims to mitigate soil erosion and provide a natural buffer against future flooding.
Tom Ndyanabo, a manager at Save the Children, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to environmental conservation. He added that they are dedicated to mitigating the effects of climate change in Kasese by supporting sustainable projects like this bamboo initiative.
Mustafa Kikusa, Chairman of the District Disaster Management Committee, sought to reassure the anxious residents. He announced that plans are underway to desilt the river and manually divert it back to its original channel.
However, Kikusa emphasized that the success of these interventions depends on the community. He urged residents to protect and nurture the 1,500 newly planted bamboo trees, as they are critical to the long-term stability of the river banks.
community-wide efforts are attracting local and religious leaders, school children, NGOs and hundreds of residents, all united by the hope that these measures will finally secure their homes and gardens from the unpredictable waters of River Mubuku.
