Yesterday (March 2, 2010) Eastern Uganda was yet again the location for another humanitarian disaster. At least 50 people have been confirmed dead in a mudslide that swept away and submerged three villages. Some 300 people are missing and feared dead.
The Eastern part of the country is prone to flooding and other rainfall hazards as evidenced by the destruction caused by El Nino flood waters a few years back. The effects of heavy rainfall have always wreaked havoc on the agricultural activity of the area and thus impacting on food security.
Last year, villagers in the East faced starvation due to low food output as a result of crops being destroyed by the rainfall. How ironic, that life giving water can be the cause of the loss of life…
The Government’s response to the crisis was farcical. The Minister responsible, Tarsis Kabwegyere, gained notoriety by making insensitive statements about the situation and plight of the starving masses. What was clearly evident was that the Ugandan Government was ill-prepared to address the effects of that disaster, this despite having a dedicated ministry responsible for Disaster preparedness.
As the tragedy in Bududa now unfolds the spotlight will be yet again trained on Government and its capacity to meet the needs of the survivors and those who are still at risk. Governments repot card during its last test was an embarrassing failure, let us hope they can do a lot better this time round. Here are a few thoughts
1. 1. A string of Government ministries have been requesting supplementary budgets. How about we use that money which was supposed to fund some of these requests (including the one for defence to chase down and finish of LRA) to help the villagers in the east who are still at risk and those who have lost their loved ones and livelihoods
2. 2. How about all the resources and efforts that are being wasted on campaigning for the Anti homosexuality bill being redirected to assisting the affected families and communities and those who still remain vulnerable.
May God be with the people of Bududa at this most trying time.
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