President Yoweri Museveni has condoled with the families and relatives that lost their dear ones as a result of landslides that hit Kasese early this week.
The president’s message was delivered by a team of ministers led by Dr. Chris Baryomunsi the minister for ICT and National Guidance, Kyofatogabye Kabuye, the state minister for Kampala and Godfrey Kabyanga, the state minister for Information.
The president expressed his grief to the families and sent sh5m to each person lost as a result of the landslides.
“The president is saddened by the tragedy that befell Kasese district where over 16 people died in landslides that hit the district. He prays that the Almighty God comforts the bereaved families and also rest the souls of the deceased in eternal peace,” said Baryomunsi.
The president appealed to the people living in eco fragile areas to vacate such places for their safety.
The state minister for ICT Godfrey Kabbyanga advisd the people of Kasese to embrace best environmental practices because Kasese is prone to many catastrophes such as mudslides, Landslides and Earthquakes.
The ministers visited all the homes with others lost 3 people each and handed over 15m to each family in Ibanda 1 A village in Bugoye sub county Busongora North and Mirami village Karambi sub county Kasese district.
Early this week, at least 16 people perished in landslides in Kasese district after a heavy downpour.
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Meanwhile, the government has begun the process of assessing the vulnerability of people settled in steep areas that are prone to disasters such as landslides.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the minister of ICT made an on spot assessment of the affected areas in Kasika village, Rukoki sub county Kasese district.
Baryomunsi said that after the Kasese tragedy it has been agreed that a rigorous sensitization campaign is implemented to alert the people in disaster prone areas to relocate to lower and safer areas to reduce on catastrophes.
Christopher Masereka, lost 11 people in his family including his wife, children and a daughter-in-law in the disaster and recollects what happened on the fateful night.
Masereka was still nursing injuries at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kasese town while his four children were also admitted at St. Paul health center by press time.
But Masereka put on a smile on his face for the first time since the tragedy after President Museveni sent sh5m for each family member lost and also sent one million shillings for each person admitted in hospital as a result of the landslides.
“I want to thank the president for the support extended to us because he has demonstrated a fatherly spirit during this difficult moment,” said Masereka.
Other beneficiaries thanked the government for the support extended to them during this difficult moment.
The area member of Parliament Busongora south constituency thanked the government for the swift response and the assistance extended to the affected families.
Baryomunsi later led the ministers to lay wreaths on the tombs of the deceased persons and assured the people that the government will send excavators to search for the missing person.
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