Community displaced by rising Lake Kyoga waters seeks government support

26 November 2025, 13:28

By ALI lukomo

The community living along lake shores in Buyende District is calling for government intervention after being displaced by rising waters from Lake Kyoga.

Speaking in an interview, residents said they had lived peacefully in the area for many years, but last year heavy rains caused the lake to rise, flooding their homes and gardens and forcing them to leave. They remain fearful that the waters will continue to encroach, as the levels show no sign of receding and are reportedly increasing even during the dry season.

According to Mr Musa Kyabagqha, the LC1 Chairperson of Budipa Village in Kagulu Subcounty, Buyende District, the community initially attempted to remain, hoping the water levels would reduce. However, after two years with no change, he has appealed to the relevant authorities to intervene and provide assistance.

However, while speaking to the Budipa community, the Buyende Woman Member of Parliament, Hon Mary Nakato Annet, urged residents to first maintain a 600-metre buffer from the lake and stop building too close to its shores. She also encouraged the community to embrace tree planting as a way to help control the rate at which water enters their homes.

Speaking to us, Mrs Namulondo Rebecca, the Environment Officer for Buyende District, said there is a plan to have the community move completely away from the lake shores and only visit for their activities, but the plan is still in the pipeline. However, the majority of the community say they have nowhere else to go, as their ancestors are from this area, and they believe there should be alternative solutions rather than being forced to leave.

The rising waters have affected villages such as Budipa Landing Site, Kasongoile Landing Site, Iyingo Landing Site, Ngole Landing Site, Itanini Landing Site, among others, impacting over 10,000 community members.