The quest is on for a six-year-old girl in Rubona village, Kisoro District, who was washed away by flash floods.
Authorities say Praise Iradukunda, a primary one pupil of Rubona Primary School, and the daughter of Enos Nkurunziza washed away during a heavy downpour that struck the region on Wednesday night as he headed back from college. A number of houses and colleges in the same region were also demolished by the downpour. Acreages of crop gardens throughout the district were also destroyed.
Rubona village chairperson, Mr Clever Maniragaba said locals spent the entire Thursday searching for the young girl. However, their hopes of finding her alive faded when they recovered pieces of her cloth and sandals, which were stuck in the trenches.
The area has witnessed a series of destructions arising out of heavy rains in recent weeks. One of the most devastating was a downpour that destroyed Kitanga Health Centre II in Kashambya Sub County, Rukiga District.
Early this month, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority indicated that most parts of the country would have above-normal rainfall, according to the Uganda Outlook for Sept to Dec 2019 Rainfall Forecast Bulletin.
The Bulletin indicates that the South Western districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi, Rukiga and Kasese will have the peak of rains around October, with a cessation of seasonal rains expected in December.
Authorities advised communities to desilt and open community drainage systems in order to ensure that their areas do not flood during the downpour. In the case of flash floods, the authorities warned people against crossing roads when the water levels have risen.
