By Jumah Kakomo
The Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has issued a dire warning to residents living in landslide-prone areas, urging them to take early warning systems seriously to save their lives.
This call to action comes after a devastating landslide in the Bulambuli District, which resulted in loss of life and displacement of many families. Nabbanja, who recently visited the affected area, emphasized the importance of cooperation between residents and the government in preventing such tragedies. She stressed that the government is committed to addressing the needs of those living in high-risk areas, but residents must also play their part by adhering to early warning systems
The Prime Minister’s warning is timely, given the increasing frequency of landslides in Uganda’s mountainous regions.
“By taking early warning systems seriously, residents can evacuate to safer areas before disasters strike, saving countless lives,” Nabbanja said.
Nabbanja adds that the government is doing its part to mitigate the risks of landslides, but residents must also take responsibility for their own safety highlighting that by working together, Uganda can reduce the impact of these disasters and keep its citizens safe.
The state minister for general duties in the office of the prime minister Justine Kasule Lumumba, raised concerns over the persistent challenge of relocating people from high-risk landslide areas, only for them to return to their usual residences. She emphasized that the government has invested significant resources in relocating people from high-risk zones to safer areas, but many individuals have chosen to return to their original homes.
“This is a worrying trend,” Lumumba said. “We can not continue to risk lives by allowing people to reside in areas that are prone to landslides. The government will continue to work with local leaders to sensitize communities about the dangers of landslides and the importance of relocating to safer areas.”
Lumumba attributed the reluctance of some individuals to relocate to a lack of awareness about the risks associated with landslides, as well as limited economic opportunities in safer areas.
To address these challenges, Lumumba announced plans to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate communities about the dangers of landslides and the importance of relocation.
“The government will also work to provide economic incentives and support to individuals who relocate to safer areas,” Lumumba said.
Lumumba announced that the government has been providing compensation to victims of the recent landslides in Bududa District despite acknowledging that the compensation package is not comprehensive.
She expressed sympathy for the losses suffered by the communities and assured them that the government is committed to supporting them.
“We understand that the compensation package we are offering may not be comprehensive, but we want to assure you that it is a starting point,” Lumumba said. “We will continue to work with the affected communities to identify their needs and provide support where possible.”
Nabbanja and Kasule’s alerm was made during the representation from the office of the prime minister in the ongoing NRM manifesto implementation commitment week of the term 2021-2026 where the duo also revealed that, the government has so far completed 35% of its commitment, 49% still ongoing, and 16% is not yet commenced.
