Amolatar flooding reaches humanitarian crisis level

21 August 2026, 8:39 pm

By Alphonce Odur Ojok

Amolatar District is facing a growing humanitarian emergency as rising water levels in Lakes Kyoga and Kwania submerge homes, farmland, roads and other critical infrastructure.

The worsening situation has prompted Kioga North Member of Parliament, Ocen Geoffrey, to petition Parliament to declare the flooding a national disaster.

Several communities have already been cut off, while hundreds of families face displacement and the loss of their livelihoods.

In Akwon Sub-County, four villages have reportedly been displaced.

Residents who have lived in the area for decades have lost their homes, gardens and sources of income to the rising waters.

In Acii Sub-County, Muchora Parish is completely isolated after roads linking it to the rest of the district became impassable. Residents are struggling to access schools, health centres and markets.

The affected routes include the Acii–Muchora Road, the Atingi–Etam Road and the Akwon–Otangocinge–Awelo route through Otiti in Ojem, Arwotcek Sub-County.

The Ochero–Acengryeny–Ayamawele Road, a major entry and exit route for the district, is also rapidly being submerged.

Kioga North Mp Geoffrey Ocen warn that without urgent engineering works, Amolatar could soon lose its only reliable road connection to the rest of the country.

The Ochero–Namasale Road is also reported to require immediate attention.

In a petition dated August 26, 2026, MP Ocen Geoffrey called on Parliament to declare the rising water levels a national disaster.

He urged the government to provide emergency food, shelter and other essential supplies to displaced families, particularly those in Akwon Sub-County.

The legislator is also calling for an urgent assessment of the affected communities, the raising of the Awonangiro and Aderolongo swamp crossings, and the construction of bridges linking Muchora Parish to Acii.

He further wants the government to develop a long-term plan to protect infrastructure, resettle vulnerable communities and restore livelihoods.

The flooding has raised fears of severe food insecurity as agricultural land continues to disappear, while access to education, healthcare and markets remains disrupted.

Residents and local leaders are now waiting for Parliament and the government to act before Amolatar is completely cut off.