Buyende on high alert as disasters intensify around Lake Kyoga

31 January 2026, 21:14

By Ali Lukomo

The residents of Buyende District, living around Lake Kyoga, are facing disasters and are at risk of more due to intensive warnings of floods and droughts, according to district officials.

John Paul Mweene, the Environment Officer for Buyende District, said they were compelled to establish a Disaster Preparedness Task Force to mitigate the effects in the near future.

Buyende District is surrounded by water bodies on all sides. To the east, the River Nile passes through the district, with over 50 landing sites. During heavy rains, the volume of water rises rapidly, while in the dry season, the situation worsens as the land dries up quickly.

Similarly, Mr Kanaku Michael, the District Head, said floods do not only affect the environment but also worsen sanitation. He explained that it is difficult to dig pit latrines on the shores of the lake, forcing residents to construct them at the front of their compounds rather than at the back.

He urged the government to take prompt action if communities are to continue living along the lake. He also cautioned residents to minimise clearing the lake shores, as they are being used for agriculture and settlement, leaving no green cover around.

Some of the areas expected to be affected include Kilibailya Landing Site, Kiwaaba Landing Site, Bukungu, Budipa, Bupioko, Nkone, and Ngole, among others.