Deputy RDC Kabale District Urges Protection of Wetlands as District receives relief items for 218 flood-affected residents

Kabale district has received a significant donation of relief items from the office of the Prime Minister to assist residents who were recently affected by devastating floods which occurred in various areas of Kitumba sub-county and across the district, caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, loss of lives and agricultural land.

The relief items, including food supplies like posho, Beans, Taplines among othere were handed over to the district authorities by representatives from the office of the Prime Minister to provide assistance to about 218 affected residents and help them recover from the aftermath of the floods.

During the handover ceremony, Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ronald Bakak, expressed his gratitude for the timely support from the office of the Prime Minister emphasizing the importance of providing relief to the affected residents, particularly those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Bakak also took the opportunity to address the issue of encroachment on wetlands in the district asking urged residents to vacate and refrain from settling or engaging in agricultural activities in these ecologically sensitive areas explaining that protecting wetlands is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment and preventing future flooding incidents.

“Wetlands play a vital role in absorbing excess water during heavy rains, acting as natural buffers against flooding,” Bakak explained speaking to our reporter in an interview in his office located at Kabale district headquarters in Kabale Municipality adding that “When wetlands are encroached upon, their ability to absorb water is compromised, leading to increased flooding in surrounding areas.”

Bakak also pledged that district authorities will work closely with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of wetland conservation as sensitization campaigns are going on and provide training on sustainable farming practices that can help mitigate the impact of flooding.

Kabale district has begun the process of recovery and rehabilitation, the call to protect wetlands as an initiative from the president of Uganda HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and promote sustainable land use practices serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation in preventing future disasters.