Parliamentary Forum Calls for Dam in Butaleja
Members of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) have called for the urgent construction of a dam in Butaleja District to harvest and manage the recurring floodwaters that continue to devastate the area.
The forum members argue that trapping water flowing from Mount Elgon could transform the perennial flooding into a resource for agriculture and other uses.
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Jacqueline Amongin, a member of the forum, emphasized the potential benefits of harvesting floodwaters.
“Places like Butaleja deserve dams and strengthened riverbanks so that these waters can be reserved and utilized during the dry season. Countries like Morocco harvest water despite minimal rainfall. For us, God has given us free water, and we must take advantage of it,” she said.
The recent floods in Butaleja have wreaked havoc, leaving roads impassable, homes submerged, and institutions damaged.
This has exacerbated challenges in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, according to Silas Aogon, Chairperson of the forum.
“We are deeply concerned about the situation. The damage to WASH infrastructure, including toilet facilities, pit latrines, and schools, has compromised hygiene and water safety. The government needs to take immediate action to address the crisis through legislation, budgeting, and accountability for resources,” Aogon added.
Florence Nabanda, the Butaleja District Woman MP, highlighted the impact on public health, revealing that many boreholes in the district produce contaminated water.
“When you pump water from most of our boreholes, it comes out with worms. This exposes our people to bacterial infections. Relief efforts are helpful, but Butaleja needs a permanent solution,” Nabanda stressed.
The floods have also disrupted education and healthcare services.
“Learners are unable to achieve their academic outcomes due to water issues, and healthcare facilities are grappling with acquired infections from a lack of clean running water,” noted Patrick Rubangakene, Policy and Advocacy Officer at WaterAid Uganda.
With 80% of Butaleja District’s land classified as wetland, the region remains highly vulnerable to flooding.
Development partners and local leaders are urging the government to prioritize investments in flood control measures and the provision of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure.
As floods continue to threaten livelihoods, education, and public health, the call for constructing a dam and implementing sustainable water management strategies has grown more urgent.
The forum emphasizes that without decisive action, the district will remain in a cycle of relief dependency and infrastructural destruction.
