Kasese District authorities have stepped up disaster preparedness efforts ahead of the March–May rainy season, historically linked to heavy rains, floods, and mudslides.

In previous years, major rivers such as Nyamwamba River have overflowed between March and May, causing severe flooding in Kasese Municipality and Karusandara Sub-county.

Mudslides have also devastated mountainous areas in Kyarumba Sub-county and Rukoki Sub-county, destroying homes, crops, and infrastructure, and claiming lives.

To minimize future losses, the district has established early warning systems to alert residents when danger is imminent.

Mustafa Kikusa, Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Committee and Principal Assistant to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), said clear procedures are in place to relay early warnings to communities in disaster-prone areas.

He also urged local leaders to promptly submit assessment reports during calamities to enable early mobilization of relief support.

Local leaders have begun engaging communities in preparedness activities. Gregory Makotsa, LC III Chairperson of Bwera Sub-county, said trees have been planted along rivers to help control flooding, and that early warning systems empower communities to respond to emergencies in time.

Research conducted between 2023 and 2024 by the Makerere University School of Public Health found that Kasese communities rely on both scientific and indigenous knowledge to predict and respond to river flooding.

Dr. Justin Namakula, who participated in the study, emphasized that combining these two approaches is essential for effective preparedness and community response.

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