Adonia Atuheire | Tayari News
KISORO: Residents affected by the February 2026 floods and landslides in Kisoro District are still grappling with severe hunger and poverty, months after the disaster left homes destroyed, crops washed away, and lives lost.
The heavy rains triggered floods and landslides from the slopes of Mount Muhabura, sending running water and debris into communities in Muramba, Nyarusiza, and surrounding sub-counties. Several families say they were left with nothing to sustain their livelihoods.
Munyaneza George, a resident of Rusenyi Village, recalls the night the floods swept through his home.
“Running storm water from Mt. Muhabura washed away my house. I was forced to seek shelter at my neighbour’s home, and currently I have nothing to eat,”
Similarly, Ntibiringigwa Paulina from Matarama Village says she lost everything in the disaster and is now struggling to survive.
“The running water washed away my house with all the property inside. Right now, I am living in famine with no source of food.”
Other residents shared terrifying experiences of being caught inside their homes as floodwaters surged.
“We heard heavy storms outside, and before we knew it, water had entered the house and swept away everything. We survived by luck,”
Local leaders say the impact was widespread. Nizeyimana Emmanuel, LC1 Chairperson of Ntarama Village, noted that more than 80 households were affected across Nyarusiza and Muramba sub-counties.
“Many families lost homes and crops. The destruction was massive, and people are still struggling to recover.”
In response, humanitarian support has been extended to the affected communities. The World Food Programme provided relief cash amounting to UGX 691,600 per household to victims in Muramba, Nyarusiza, and Chahafi Town Council.
A total of 121 households in Muramba, 146 in Nyarusiza, and 93 in Chahafi benefited from the intervention, targeting villages including Mugwata, Gasarara, Migeshi, Rusenyi, and Ntarama.
Speaking during the distribution, WFP team leader Solomon Mugurusi urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the funds.
“We encourage you to invest this money in income-generating activities so that you can rebuild your livelihoods and support your families.”
Kisoro District Senior Environment Officer Eunice Akankwasa also called on residents to adopt preventive measures to minimize future disaster risks.
“Residents should wear protective gear like rubber shoes, install lightning arresters, harvest rainwater, and adopt better farming practices to control soil erosion and reduce runoff,”
Despite the hardships, beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the support and optimism about rebuilding their lives.
“We are grateful for the assistance. We plan to invest in Irish potatoes and livestock so we can fight poverty and sustain our families.”
However, many victims say the relief provided is not enough to fully restore their livelihoods, and they continue to appeal for more support as they face ongoing hunger and uncertainty.