Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa has called for responsible environmental management to mitigate natural disasters like the floods in Kampala City on Wednesday.
While responding to comments from Leader of Opposition in Parliament on the effects of the heavy downpour on the population in Kampala, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa said there’s need for collective efforts in managing environmental risks.
“The floods that have resulted in the tragic loss of lives should serve as a wake-up call. It is imperative that we promote responsible and sustainable environmental practices to prevent such occurrences in the future,” Tayebwa remarked.
His comments come in the wake of Parliament’s recent approval of Shs3.267 billion in supplementary funding to support Internal Security Organisation (ISO) operations aimed at curbing the misuse of wetlands.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, called upon the government to extend support to the families of the seven individuals who lost their lives in the recent Kampala floods. He urged authorities to provide immediate relief to those displaced, many of whom have sought refuge in places of worship after their homes were submerged.
Addressing Parliament, Ssenyonyi criticized what he termed as selective enforcement of environmental laws, highlighting the forced evictions in Lubigi wetland, where homes belonging to low-income individuals were demolished. He noted that despite these actions, high-profile individuals continue to construct buildings along drainage channels in Kampala with little to no interference from authorities.
“The government needs to update this House on what measures are being taken to prevent such disasters, as the causes are well known—poor drainage. We see buildings rising in every corner of the city without clear planning for drainage. While ordinary citizens are evicted, powerful individuals continue to develop wetlands in areas like Namanve, which was once a vital water catchment area,” Ssenyonyi stated.
