URN.Others include a university student Jane Nekesa, Doreen Tamumza, Babra Kalayi and Rukia Kalayi members of the same family and Yadi Farouk all residents of Northern Division in Mbale City.
Police has named some of the victims of floods that wrecked havoc in Mbale city.
The victims named are among the 10 that were killed following floods that hit the city and the district on Saturday evening through to Sunday morning.
Some of the victims include Uganda People’s Defense Forces Soldier Private Sam Chemulindwa. Chemulindwa was attached to the 53rd Battalion in the 3rd Division.
The Division Spokesperson Major Isaac Owale said the officer was killed while trying to cross the bridge when flash waters swept him away.
Others include a university student Jane Nekesa, Doreen Tamumza, Babra Kalayi and Rukia Kalayi who are all members of the same family, and Yadi Farouk, all residents of Northern Division in Mbale City.
Dr. Barnabas Lubanza, the Elgon Region Police Pathologist said that they are still trying to identify the rest of the victims adding that they have started to conduct postmortem on the bodies and relatives of the deceased have started picking the bodies for burial arrangements. He said that they have so far confirmed 10 people who have died from the disaster but there are fears that more people are still trapped in the waters.
Ahamda Washaki, the Mbale Resident City Commissioner told the Prime minister during an emergency situational meeting at the City Hall that the situation in the city is pathetic at the moment especially for those who were displaced by the floods.
He said that the level of devastation is very high which needs urgent intervention like providing shelter, utensils and food to the affected families and also repair of roads and bridges that have been destroyed by the floods.
Ann Nakayenze, Mbale District Environment officer said that to avoid future calamities, something has to be done from where the rivers start by widening the river banks. She attributed the floods to the rampant encroachment on the river banks by people.
Robina Nabanjja, the Prime Minister on her part pledged government support to the victims of the floods. She said relief food is already on the way and that the affected persons will get it soon.
She said that the government will ensure the mountains and its forest cover is restored to avoid such calamities in the future.
Meanwhile, heavy rains also killed three people in Kapchorwa, while others are hospitalized. The deceased were killed after rains that started on Saturday caused a landslide in Kapsinda Sub-county, Tingey County in Kapchorwa district.
