Severe Floods Sever Adjumani Communities and Destroy Farmland

Residents of Rubangabin Village in Maaji Parish, Ukusijoni Sub-county, Adjumani District, are facing renewed hardship after heavy weekend rains caused River Zoka to burst its banks. The flooding has completely cut off the entire village and parts of neighbouring Ofu, leaving nearly 700 households stranded with limited access to essential services.

Because the area lacks a proper bridge, locals must rely on a precarious makeshift wooden structure or wade through the rising waters. According to local resident Daniel Anyanzo, communities have endured repeated flooding over the years with no permanent government intervention. Residents even instituted a voluntary contribution drive of Shs5,000 per household to hire machinery to split timber for the temporary bridge.

The geographical reality compounds the crisis. Although Rubangabin is in Adjumani District, residents rely heavily on Obongi District for healthcare, education, and markets. When floods strike, children crossing to schools like Obongi Town Primary School must be ferried across in boats at an unsustainable cost.

Agriculture, the backbone of the local economy, has taken a heavy hit. Rubangabin LC1 Chairperson Karim Akasa reported that nearly 20 acres of farmland have been submerged, destroying crops such as rice, tomatoes, cabbages, and sweet potatoes. Farmers who already suffered losses from prolonged dry spells earlier in the year now face the looming threat of acute hunger.

Local authorities note that finding a permanent solution remains complicated. Ukusijoni Sub-county chairperson George Origa Andruga stated that local leaders lack the legal authority to construct a bridge because the surrounding land is subject to an ongoing boundary dispute with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. For more details, read the original report on Daily Monitor.