The Ugandan government has been advised to review its disaster preparedness and management policy in order to cover the emerging trends in environmental safety.
A study titled “Disaster Risk Reduction in Uganda” and “Disaster Preparedness in Uganda” been carried out by the Uganda Policy Development and Management Forum, Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and Africa leadership Institute (AFLI), the researchers are recommending government to carry out regular reviews of the policy in order to make it responsive to emerging issues, trends and circumstances.
The study recommends government and partners to fundraise and conduct risk mapping research, design appropriate tools and strategies for disaster preparedness, create an inventory of communities and facilitate households to evacuate disaster –prone zones.
The Acting executive director of Africa leadership Institute Gerald Mulike urged government to create alternative sources of income to vulnerable communities involved in activities that fuel disaster such as charcoal burning, Wanton tree-felling and stone quarrying among others
“The line ministry should make contingency plans for fundamental facilities to enable operational continuity after disaster and introduce income generating activities to reduce poverty among vulnerable communities.” added Mulike.
The commissioner for Relief Disaster Preparedness and Management in the Office of the Prime Minister Martin Owor presiding over the launch at Hotel Africana said people need to be resilient to the factors that affect and lead to disasters and also accept disasters exist but they can be managed if people are educated
“Disasters exist let us accept that and focus on how to manage, leave with them and educate our people as we can’t eliminate the disaster but we can minimize them” said Owor.
Tobias Omweng a disaster Management specialist stressed the need for quick response in disaster struck areas and also sensitizing people living in disaster prone areas like on the shores of Mount Elgon.
