Heavy rains trigger damage, safety fears in Busia

The warning comes after part of county commissioner Stephen Orinde’s official residence was damaged when a tree fell on its roof during a heavy downpour on Tuesday evening.

In a separate incident, another tree fell near Governor Paul Otuoma’s office, blocking access to his residence and nearby homes. No casualties were reported in either case.

“The two incidents are isolated, but we urge residents to remain vigilant,” Orinde said.

He advised those living in low-lying areas prone to flooding to move to higher ground and report rising water levels to local administrators.

Orinde said disaster management committees have been activated at both county and subcounty levels, with authorities closely monitoring high-risk areas.

He directed deputy county commissioners across the eight subcounties to convene public barazas to sensitise residents on early reporting of emergencies.

Areas identified as vulnerable to flooding include Samia, Bunyala and parts of Teso North, particularly around the confluence of Rivers Malakisi and Malaba at Amoni.

“We thank God that we have not experienced serious flooding so far. The winds that caused the damage were extraordinary and have not been witnessed in decades,” he said.

The county commissioner also raised concerns over the structural integrity of Lukolis bridge along the Busia–Malaba road, warning motorists to avoid using it after cracks developed.

“The contractor did shoddy work. The bridge poses a serious risk to road users. Engineers from both county and national governments have already assessed the damage,” he said.

He added that a short-term renovation plan is under consideration, while a long-term solution may involve demolition and reconstruction, pending a report from the public works department.

Meanwhile, strong winds destroyed electricity poles in Angorom ward and blew off the roof of a semi-permanent house in Agolot sub-location. No injuries were reported.

Orinde commended past government interventions, including the construction of dykes in Budalang’i, noting they have significantly reduced flooding risks.

He assured residents that the government is prepared to provide relief support if the situation worsens, stressing that early action is key to preventing a humanitarian crisis.