Due to the sudden flooding of the River Kafu along the Hoima-Kampala Highway, transport operators have been compelled to alter their route, diverting through Masindi. Mr. Ham Mugisa, the Chairman of the Hoima Taxi/Bus Park Management, informed a reporter from The Black Examiner that as a result of this route change, they have raised the transportation fare from Shs20,000 to Shs25,000.
He explained that transport operators made this route adjustment promptly upon receiving reports of the river overflowing its banks at approximately 1 pm on Monday, November 6, 2023. Some drivers who had already progressed to Kyankwazi from Kampala had to detour from Katanaabirwa, traveling through Kisiita-Nalweyo to reach Hoima, with a negotiable increase in cost, as they were already en route.
By 5 pm in the evening, the police had been deployed to manage the increasing traffic on both sides of the river to prevent accidents. There were unconfirmed reports suggesting that an unidentified child had drowned while attempting to cross the river before the floodwaters completely cut off Hoima from Kyankwanzi district along the highway.
Reports indicating that the same river had also flooded near its source, separating Kakumuro district from Kikuube district, were dismissed by drivers by 6 pm.
The River Kafu’s flooding is not a new occurrence, but it may symbolize the escalating impact of climate change, with rising water levels occurring contrary to the usual pattern, even as the rainy season is expected to be concluding.
In a related development, the River Ruzaire in Kagadi district, specifically in parts of Kinyarugonjo, has experienced a rejuvenation, clearing all vegetation along its banks, including crops. This river periodically undergoes a rejuvenation process.
