‘Man-made floods’ threaten census in Serere district

Serere | Local communities and enumerators in Serere district are concerned about the success of the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) due to severe flooding that has closed most roads in the area.

Residents expressed concern about the transportation challenges caused by the floods, which made it difficult for both community members and census officers to access enumeration areas.

George William Omuge, a Jele village resident, expressed concern for people’s lives as water levels rise.

Magdalene Apolot, a fish vendor from Soroti who sources fish from Serere, expressed her fear of crossing two swamps with water levels reaching her stomach.

Brenda Aluga, an enumerator in Ongor village, Atiira sub-county, highlights the serious transportation challenges caused by flooded roads, which cause enumeration delays.

Aluga also expressed concern about the possibility of census equipment being damaged if officers fail to cross flooded areas safely. 

Due to transportation delays, Aluga had only enumerated four households by yesterday (Sunday).

Also read: Enumerators’ illiteracy with tablets causes census delays

The LC3 chairperson, Amos Ochola, acknowledged the widespread impact of flooding on enumerators’ ability to access the exercise areas.

 Silas Emunyu, the district’s IT officer, confirmed that many enumerators were unable to travel due to submerged roads.

Helen Adoa, the State Minister for Fisheries, stated that floods had cut off roads in sub-counties such as Atiira, Bugondo, and Kateta, severely affecting the census.

She urged the public to be patient, pointing out that data collection is currently underway for the Ministry of Works and Transport to address road issues.

Adoa warned that human activities affecting the environment had exacerbated the current situation, emphasising the importance of environmental protection in mitigating the effects of climate change.

By Robert Edwomu