Once again, the residents of Dokolo district find themselves grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods, reminiscent of the challenges they faced in 2020 and 2021. This recurring natural disaster has left hundreds of families homeless and exposed to health risks.
Torrential rains, compounded by the swelling waters of Lake Kwania, have unleashed havoc in various sub-counties including Adeknino, Kwera, Kangai, Okwongdul, and Agwata town councils. The destructive force of these floods has resulted in the destruction of numerous homes, inundated gardens, and rendered roads impassable.
This recent calamity comes as a cruel blow to a community already struggling to recover from the previous floods. In 2020, over a thousand families in Dokolo district were displaced by floodwaters, forcing them to seek refuge on higher ground.
In response to the 2020 disaster, Dokolo district authorities reached out to the Office of the Prime Minister, seeking assistance. While relief items were promised, including maize flour, beans, and tarpaulins, many of these provisions never materialized, leaving the affected families without crucial support.
As the floodwaters receded last year, residents began the arduous task of rebuilding their lives and homes. However, their efforts have been thwarted by the recurrence of floods, plunging them back into uncertainty and despair.
Currently, displaced individuals are seeking shelter in schools, an abandoned health center, and with relatives, as they await assistance from government and humanitarian agencies.
Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, a former contestant for the Woman Parliamentary seat, has called upon local leaders to accurately assess the needs of the affected population. She expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating sanitation conditions in flooded areas, where latrines are submerged and unusable.
Alwoc has urged swift government intervention, appealing directly to President Yoweri Museveni to visit Dokolo district and witness the extent of the devastation firsthand. Drawing attention to her late mother’s efforts in addressing similar challenges, she emphasized the urgency of providing adequate support to the affected communities.
District chairperson James Otto Apili has taken proactive steps by informing the Office of the Prime Minister about the ongoing disaster, seeking assistance for the displaced families.
The situation remains dire, with over 600 families already affected by the floods, according to Agwata LC3 chairperson Tony Obel Obala. The urgent need for clean, safe water is paramount, as existing water sources have been contaminated by the floods.
Levi Okodi Macpio, who suffered losses in the 2020 floods, emphasizes the dire need for assistance, highlighting the profound impact on livelihoods and land ownership. Many families, like his own, have been forced to relocate to higher ground, facing uncertainty about their future.
Local leaders, including Acung Apenyi cell LC1 chairperson Gideon Odongo Opio, stress the urgent need for shelter, mosquito nets, sanitation facilities, and food aid for the displaced families. Peter Ongom, another resident, underscores the broader consequences of the floods, including the loss of grazing land and agricultural productivity, further exacerbating the community’s hardships.
