Kisoro: All Departments include vote for Disaster emergencies.

By Alex Gahima

The chairperson of Kisoro District Disaster Management committee Manasseh Rukondo has said the district has designed a district contingency plan which will see all heads of department include a vote for disaster emergencies during their planning processes.

Mr. Rukundo, who also serves as the Kisoro district Assistant Chief Administrative officer, said all departments will have to plan for any eventualities of a natural disaster in their line of work before they can seek for any external assistance.

The development comes following a major natural disaster in Nyarusiza, Muramba Sub Counties and Bunagana town council where nine lives were lost during a mudslide last month.

“It is extremely important that as a district, we learn to manage some of these natural disasters on our own before we can start looking for help from outside, Rukundo explained.

Rukundo said departments like education usually have cases of lightning affecting school going children, fires in boarding schools therefore it is important to be prepared beforehand.

A report compiled the office of the Chief Administrative officer dated 14^th February 2022 indicates that relief and non- relief items were given to the affected people of Nyarusiza Sub county.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) supported the affected people with 20,000Kgs of maize, 10,000Kgs of Beans, 250Pcs of Jerrycans, 20 Cartons of washing Soap and 300Pcs of mats.

Counting the Cost: Kisoro landslides expose need for early warning mechanisms

Rukundo further thanked State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hon. Esther Anyakun who rallied to the aid of Kisoro residents, bringing along 500,000 Ugandan shillings cash to cover burial expenses for the aggrieved families.

“I truly want to thank our Hon. Minister Sarah Mateke and Bufumbira South Member of Parliament Hon. Alex Niyonsaba who made an alarm when the people of Nyarusiza were suffering”, Rukundo stated.

The same report reveals that the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), United Nations Population Fund offered vital support to Nyarusiza HC II.

Ugandan Ambassador to China, H.E Judyth Nsababera offered great support in her individual capacity including 4,600 liters of fuel meant for a UNRA excavator, 90Pcs of Blankets, 150 bags of 10kgs Maize flour, 600 cups, 600 pieces of plates, 10 bags of 100kgs of beans among other items.

Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT) that has its operations in the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Areas of  Rubanda, Kisoro and Kanungu managed to support the households of the aggrieved families with 100Kgs of Posho, 100Kgs of Beans and 50Kgs of Improved Maize seed.

NGOs in Kisoro offer Relief Support to Mudslide Victims.

Other partners including Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) supported road spot improvement and unblocking inaccessible places.

Lions Club Kisoro led by President Annet Dusabe offered food relief items and clothes worth 1.3 million shillings to the aggrieved families and promised to offer more support.

Lions Club Kisoro tipped for supporting affected families in Nyarusiza.

Rotary Club of Mgahinga, Hon. Nsaba Buturo join Hands

The Rotary Club of Mgahinga Kisoro in collaboration with the Bufumbira East Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. James Nsaba Buturo joined hands to raise a total of 115 pieces of Iron sheets meant for the most affected families.

Change Maker President Jackie Bagainizi says the club had managed to raise 25 pieces meant for one household however, as luck would have it, Hon. Dr. Nsaba Buturo decided to add his support to the cause by offering 3 million shillings towards the purchase of 90 pieces of iron sheets.

“As Rotary Club Mgahinga Kisoro, we were moved by the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Nyarusiza Sub County. According to our assessment, we discovered that the greatest need among the most affected households was lack of iron sheets, Mrs. Bagainizi explained

Jackie Bagainizi says she was so excited when Hon. Dr. James Nsaba Buturo decided to join the cause.

Bufumbira East M.P Hon. Dr. James Nsaba Buturo says, there are great rewards to all those who give.

Hon. Buturo explained that tragedy can befall anyone and therefore it is important to develop a culture of giving without expecting anything in return.