Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has pledged to support those affected by the floods in Kasese, by providing them with land in Muhokya sub county, so they can move out of harm’s way.
The Premier has also rejected part of the non-food relief items that were sent to flood victims in Kasese District.
In Company of Minister Anywar, Hon Onek Hillary, Minister Alice Kaboyo, area MPs, RDC and Kasese area leaders, Nabbanja visited and assessed areas affected by Nyamwamba river floods.
Nabbanja said that the items that included 1,000 mosquito nets and 1,000 blankets were substandard and not fit for human use. The nets were found to be very small in size while the blankets were too light.
She also questioned the quality of beans that had been given to the flood victims, saying that they were equally not good for human consumption.
“Kasese isn’t a dumping ground,” fumed Nabbanja who was upset by the quality of commodities like blankets that were brought by government as support to those affected.
Nabbanja, who made an impromptu check at the district headquarters in Rukoki on Tuesday, demanded that the items be returned to wherever they were bought from and that the persons responsible for the procurement of substandard items should be held liable, and organize another assortment by end of Wednesday for delivery.
Nabbanja also questioned the number of people in the camp noting that the quoted number of Internally Displaced Persons in her office was much higher compared to what she witnessed on the ground. She said she was sending a team of experts to assess the numbers.
Eng. Hillary Onek, the Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Minister said they will follow the PM’s directive and ensure that the victims receive additional support. However, he declined to explain how substandard items were purchased for the victims.
Government donated 40,000 tonnes of maize, 20,000 tonnes of beans, 2,000kgs of sugar, 1,000 jerricans, and 1000 boxes of soap, among others.
