ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND POOR PLANNING FUEL UGANDA’S DISASTERS IN BULAMBULI AND

By Wabusimba Amiri. The stories of Bulambuli have become synonymous with recurring tragedies, Year after year if it’s not Kasese, Manafa it has to be Bulambuli landslides and floods claiming lives, destroying homes, and displacing thousands. These disasters, while triggered by nature, expose deeper systemic failures in governance, planning, and disaster management. The recent tragedy in Bulambuli, where over 30 lives were lost and many remain missing, followed the Kiteezi landfill disaster, which claimed over 35 lives. Uganda’s response to these crises has been reactive and fragmented, with the government prioritizing temporary relief and compensation over long-term solutions.

The history of loss in these regions paints a grim picture of neglect and inaction just like the Kasese floods of 2013 which displaced more than 30,000 people, submerging homes, schools, and health facilities. Similar devastation was in Bulambuli in 2018, when landslide in Sisiyi village claimed over 45 lives and left hundreds displaced. In 2020, another catastrophic flood in Kasese displaced over 120,000 people, destroying infrastructure and paralyzing local economies. Despite warnings from experts and visible environmental degradation, preventive measures remain glaringly absent.

These recurring tragedies reveal critical issues, including urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and the lack of effective safety measures. Communities are often situated in hazardous zones, with little consideration for safety. In areas like Bulambuli, Manafa deforestation and poor farming practices exacerbate landslides, while in Kasese, the failure to maintain and reinforce riverbanks leads to repeated flooding. The government’s approach characterized by token financial compensation trivializes the value of human life with UGX 5 million for the deceased and UGX 1 million for the injured provides temporary relief, but it neither addresses the root causes of these disasters nor acknowledges the emotional and economic toll on survivors.

Preventive measures and long-term planning are essential to break this cycle of disaster. Risk mapping of vulnerable regions is urgently needed to inform policies on land use, infrastructure development, and community planning. Communities in high-risk zones should be relocated to safer areas with proper housing, social services, and sustainable livelihoods. The relocation of Bududa landslide victims to Kiryandongo serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the need for transparent community consultations and accountability in implementing resettlement plans.

Early warning systems and meteorological monitoring can provide timely alerts, enabling residents to evacuate before disasters strike. Environmental conservation efforts, including reforestation and enforcement of anti-deforestation laws, are crucial to reducing the risks posed by climate change and land misuse. Temporary measures, such as establishing Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, are also necessary. They should serve as transitional spaces, allowing displaced families to rebuild their lives while awaiting permanent relocation.

Uganda cannot afford to normalize the loss of life and displacement as inevitable outcomes of natural disasters. Proactive leadership, sustainable planning, and a commitment to valuing every life are the only ways to ensure a future where such tragedies become the exception rather than the norm. The cost of inaction is measured not just in monetary terms but in human lives and dignity. It is time for Uganda to prioritize disaster prevention over reaction, to move beyond temporary fixes, and to build a nation where the safety and well-being of its citizens come first. The value of a Ugandan life cannot be quantified by compensation but must be reflected in the efforts made to protect it.

Author is a diplomatic Student, Journalist, political analyst and Human Right activist.

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