(Nwoya) – Heavy rains on Monday, August 12, 2024, have caused severe flooding in Nwoya and Pakwach districts, paralyzing transport and disrupting businesses along the Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach road. The flooding, triggered by River Tangi bursting its banks, submerged key sections of the road, which connects Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the West Nile region.
According to Emmanuel Orach, the Nwoya District chairperson, while no fatalities or injuries were reported, several vehicles and motorcycles were swept away by the floodwaters. Orach explained that the flooding was a result of days of continuous rain, culminating in one of the heaviest downpours on Monday. This caused widespread flooding, even affecting the Ayago Bridge in the same region.
The most affected areas include Got Apwoyo Sub-county in Nwoya District and Pakwach Town Council. Several households in these regions were submerged, forcing residents and businesses to a standstill.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has issued a traffic advisory warning travelers to avoid the flooded section of the Olwiyo-Pakwach road, especially near the Pakwach Bridge, which has been rendered inaccessible. UNRA has urged motorists traveling to and from Pakwach to use the alternative Masindi—Kisanja/Park Junction route that passes through Murchison Falls National Park until the water recedes. The advisory emphasized the need to prioritize safety and plan journeys accordingly, as the flooded road remains dangerous.
Affected Areas by Flooding | Details |
---|---|
Most impacted regions | Nwoya and Pakwach districts |
Key road affected | Olwiyo-Pakwach road |
Alternative route suggested | Masindi—Kisanja/Park Junction via Murchison NP |
Cause of flooding | River Tangi bursting its banks |
Last similar incident | Flooding in 2022 caused major disruptions |
As Mr. Orach explained, the Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach road is crucial for connecting Uganda and the DRC, making this flooding event particularly disruptive to trade and transport. He has requested the Uganda National Roads Authority to find a lasting solution to prevent future occurrences of such extreme flooding.
UNRA officials, however, are currently working to monitor the situation and manage the flood risk, particularly given that this is not the first time the road has been submerged. In 2022, the same section of the road flooded, leaving hundreds of road users stranded.
Meanwhile, parts of the site managed by TotalEnergies, located near the Blue Nile in Got Apwoyo Sub-county, were also flooded. A staff member from the site, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that some areas of the site were submerged, further complicating the situation.
To address these recurring problems, district planners have been urged to take the issue of flooding more seriously. Mr. Kaliphan Sewante, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Local Government, commented on the need for districts to prioritize flood management in their planning. He noted that while some districts experience drought, others face severe flooding, and local planners must provide the government with guidance on how to mitigate such risks.
Sewante emphasized that planners have a critical role in advising councils on how to manage natural disasters and ensure the safety and well-being of their communities. He reiterated that as districts face increasing challenges from extreme weather conditions, proper planning becomes even more crucial.
The heavy rainfall and flooding are expected to continue affecting the area for several days, and officials warn that motorists and residents should remain vigilant. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that transport routes are restored as quickly as possible while UNRA and local authorities work to address the longer-term challenges posed by the region’s vulnerability to flooding.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as the situation progresses.