More Than 10,000 Families Displaced by Rising Lake Water Cry Out for Help
Thousands of people who were affected by floods that resulted from the rising water levels of lake Albert in the Bunyoro sub region are crying for government support.
In 2020, the floods submerged several homes on the shores of Lake Albert in the districts of Kikuube, Hoima, Buliisa and Kagadi.
More than 10,000 families were displaced by the rising water levels after their homes were submerged. The flood victims then sought refuge in churches, schools, under the trees while others erected makeshift structures where they are settling to date.
Government promised to acquire land to resettle the victims but to date, nothing has been done.
Four years after the calamity, the flood victims are faulting the government for not helping them despite the suffering they have endured since 2020.
Victor Kyomuhendo, a fisherman at Kaiso landing site in Hoima district faults the government for abandoning them. Kyomuhendo says that he has been compelled to re-occupy his house after the water levels reduced but after a very long time of suffring.
Pascal Pithuwa, a fisherman at Butiaba landing site in Buliisa district says many fishermen lost properties at the time the floods ravaged their homes but government kept a deaf ear to their pleas of having them resettled.
Gloria Tibasiime, a fishmonger and a mother of three at Nsonga landing site in Kikuube district says, since the floods submerged her home, life became difficult and her business has greatly been affected.
She wants the government to avail them with cheap and affordable loans to help revamp their businesses.
Fredrick Lukumu, the Bullisa district chairperson wonders why the government has up to now kept a deaf ear despite several pleas from area leaders to have the flood victims resettled.
Lukumu says as a result, most of the flood victims have resorted to re-occupying the dilapidated structures following the reduction in water levels of Lake Albert which he says is dangerous to peoples’ lives stating that the victims are risking their lives by re-occupying the weak and dilapidated structures.
In 2021, Robinah Nabbanja, the Uganda’s Prime Minister assured the flood victims that government would resettle them. Nabbanja then explained that the government was profiling all flood-affected persons in the Bunyoro sub region and draft a comprehensive plan for their resettlement.
She tasked leaders in the region to work closely with her office to ensure that the resettlement plan is worked on. She then did not specify when and where OPM will resettle the flood victims.
In 2022, Hillary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees said that government was yet to acquire land to resettle some of the flood victims in Buliisa.
According to Onek, the government had instructed the ministries for lands, water, and Environment to first carry out a comprehensive survey of the affected areas to ascertain the degree of the destruction and come up with appropriate measures on how the victims could be amicably resettled.
*Source – URN*
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum