PM Nabbanja: No Land Available to Relocate Ntoroko Flood Victims

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja says the Government has failed to find land to resettle victims of floods in Ntoroko District.

The Prime Minister made this revelation while in Parliament on Thursday afternoon. She had been tasked by Rwemulikya Ibanda (Ntoroko County) and Edson Rugumayo (Youth Rep. Western Region) to explain why residents are still in flood-prone areas. Rugumayo noted that the situation needs an urgent response because a large part of sub-counties like Kanaala is already submerged.

“The situation is made even more dire; yesterday, the media covered pupils taking mock exams in flooded schools. Is the Government aware of this situation, and what measures are being taken to ensure that people’s livelihoods are protected? That students can continue to study?” said Rugumayo Edson.

Ntoroko flooding woes

The floods began over the weekend when River Semliki burst its banks. The most affected areas are in Bwelamule sub-county, Ntoroko District, specifically the villages of Kyobe, Kyapa, Kayanja I, Kayanja II, Kisungu, Sasa, and Kabimbiri.

“Approximately 20 villages have been affected by flooding from River Semliki and Lake Albert. This has resulted in many schools being submerged. For the safety of the children, we had no choice but to close the schools. More schools are currently being assessed and may also be closed soon.” said Edward Bashungura, the Resident District Commissioner for Ntoroko.

Hon. Ibanda reported to the House that all three sub-counties in Ntoroko are submerged. He mentioned that land was promised for relocating people in Kanaala, Kasese, and Ntoroko. MP Ibanda wondered why land was bought for Kasese but not for Ntoroko. He asked when the land for Ntoroko would be provided to improve living conditions.

However, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja pledged Government intervention in Ntoroko. She explained that the presence of a gazetted Semliki National Park hinders the search for land.

“I have been to their area many times, and the purpose was for us to look for a lasting solution, for people to leave those waterlogged areas. So, the President asked, can we get land and buy it for the people? We struggled to get land; what is next is Semliki National Park. Gazetting a national park is constitutional. You know what I am talking about. Then we agreed that we look for people who have land that isn’t in water. They showed us land that submerged after a few months. So, we are still waiting for the district to look for land so that the Government can pay for it.” said Nabbanja.