By our reporter
NEWS– Government of Uganda through Office of the Prime Minister -OPM has in pipeline plans to train journalists in Disaster Management as one way of reducing the number of lives and property lost during abrupt weather changes.
This was sounded by Julius Mucunguzi, head of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, while speaking at a ceremony to display the National Risk and Vulnerability Atlas held at Rukiiko hall in Kabale District.
Mucunguzi stressed that they have come to realize that most victims of disasters across the country lose lives and property majorly because they lack knowledge on preparedness and management, and therefore the media would be one of the best channels of passing information to the communities residing in disaster prone areas.
He further said that Office of the Prime Minister is in preparations of mobilizing resources to facilitate training of journalists in weather analysis and use of Geographical information Science so that they can be able to disseminate timely information to prevent loss of lives due to disasters such as Landslides, Floods, Drought, Lightings, among others.
The Disaster Preparedness Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister Catherine Ahimbisibwe said that the National Risk and Vulnerability Atlas was designed to equip Local government authorities in planning for better management of disasters.
The Atlas shows hotspots, causes and the mitigations measures for disasters faced in specific areas.
In the same ceremony Bridget Asinga, the Kabale District Councilor for Kyanamira Subcounty who is also secretary for the works and transport Committee requested Office of the Prime Minister to quickly rehabilitate Maziba Primary School whose buildings were destroyed by heavy rainfall last year.
The Kabale District Principal Secretary James Mugisha also highlighted the need for the Office of the Prime Minister to avoid delaying response to disaster reports arguing that it hinders service delivery and can also result into loss of lives in case of starvation due to destruction of gardens by flooding.
According to the National Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, South Western Uganda, Elgon, Sebei and Rwenzori regions are prone to Landslides and flooding.
Other places prone to floods include Elgon, Bukedi, Rwenzori, Teso, Karamoja, Bulisa, Nakasongola, and West Nile.
