MICHAEL N
Businesses in Ntungamo Municipality are experiencing a major challenge with poor drainage systems, which affects their operations whenever it rains heavily.
On Thursday evening, billions of shillings were lost through floods that covered more than seven areas in Ntungamo Municipality, including the taxi park, Banyaji area, businesses around the NRM offices, among other places.
A concerned resident of Cell 4, Henry Tumwebaze, who was affected by the floods, expressed dissatisfaction with municipal authorities for failing to improve the drainage systems, noting that for over 10 years, every rainy season businesses have been affected by floods, which once led to the death of a child.
He said they have written different letters to the Municipal Council, which has failed to lay out strategies to address the problem.
Amon Niwasasira, who owns a poultry feeds shop near the NRM offices, expressed dissatisfaction over making several losses whenever it rains, while the Municipal Council still goes ahead to collect taxes from them. He said that whenever it rains, some people also use the floods to release sewage from toilets, which puts people’s lives at risk.
Aston Taremwa noted appeals to the recently elected leaders to work hard and improve the trenches and drainage systems in the whole town. Aston revealed that, to his concern, even the district NRM offices are usually affected, which reflects carelessness and lack of commitment among leaders.
Cell 4 Park Ward LC1 Chairperson Julius Sanga appealed to municipal leaders to take swift intervention and improve the drainage systems. He said that although local leaders have tried to write several letters requesting intervention, no response has been received.
Floods in Ntungamo Municipality have been recurring, affecting hundreds of businesses, especially during rainy seasons, which residents attribute to poor drainage systems and the town being in a low-lying area.
