KAMPALA 26 MARCH 2025: The Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua has revealed that the Government is coordinating a multi-agency efforts to address the current flooding occasioned by heavy rains.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday, Obua extended condolences to families who lost loved ones in the recent floods and called for urgent measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions.
Referring to a recent briefing by the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Chief Whip explained that the dry spell and extreme temperatures experienced from December 2024 to February 2025 were attributed to both natural and human induced factors.
Hon. Obua highlighted key scientific explanations provided by the Ministry, including the influence of tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean and the position of the sun in February, when it moves closer to the equator.
“The Ministry explained that the intense heat was largely influenced by natural phenomena, including tropical cyclones and the movement of the sun. As we all know, Uganda lies directly on the equator, which contributed to the extreme temperatures,” he stated.
He further pointed out the impact of urbanization, citing the “urban heat island effect,” a phenomenon where cities and towns experience higher temperatures due to increased human activity and infrastructure development.
With Uganda now in the midst of the rainy season, the Chief Whip warned that March, April, and May will be characterized by isolated thunderstorms, strong winds, lightning, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall.
“This fact must be stated clearly, Honorable Speaker. As a country, we must prepare ourselves for the possibility that the situation may worsen,” Government Chief Whip cautioned.
He also revealed that key government agencies, including the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and disaster response teams, are currently engaged in discussions to determine a coordinated response to the ongoing crisis.
“As I speak, these agencies are meeting to develop a way forward on how to manage what the country is experiencing,” Hon Obua told Parliament.
While acknowledging that some extreme weather conditions are natural disasters, the Chief Whip also blamed human activities for worsening the situation.
“This is not entirely beyond our control. Our failure to protect the environment has worsened the situation. We must become champions of environmental conservation, as we have neglected what needed to be done while engaging in harmful practices that have made matters worse,” he warned.
To ensure an effective response, Chief Whip suggested that Parliament could invite the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness or KCCA to brief the House on agreed response strategies.
His statement comes as several regions across Uganda continue to experience severe flooding, leading to loss of life, displacement, and widespread destruction of property.
