Bulambuli MP Emmanuel Biara Wepukhulu….Photo/IP
By Alex Wekesa,Mbale city,Uganda
Emmanuel Biari Wepukhulu, the Member of Parliament-elect for Bulambuli Constituency, has called for the establishment of a special government ministry to address recurring climate disasters in eastern Uganda’s Bugisu sub-region.
Wepukhulu said repeated mudslides and floods on the slopes of Mount Elgon have turned the region into a disaster hotspot, with communities facing destruction nearly every rainy season.
“We have seen mudslides and floods since 2010, and this tragedy continues to take the lives of our people and destroy property every season,” he said.
Speaking to I.P. at a prayer meeting hosted by His Highness Umukuuka III wa Bugisu —Jude Mike Mudoma ,Wepukhulu said the government must move beyond temporary interventions and adopt a permanent, structured response.
The disasters were first recorded on a large scale in Bududa in 2010, when a massive landslide killed more than 300 people and buried entire villages.
Since then, similar incidents have spread across Sironko, Mbale City, and Bulambuli.
Data from the region shows that hundreds of landslides have been recorded over the past decade, with major events in 2018 and 2019 affecting more than 12,000 people, killing dozens and displacing thousands.
Some incidents have also triggered disease outbreaks, including cholera, compounding the humanitarian crisis.
Wepukhulu said such statistics underscore the urgency of establishing a dedicated institution to coordinate disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery efforts in Bugisu.
“If regions like Luwero, Karamoja, and Northern Uganda received tailored government interventions, why not Bugisu — where people die almost every year?” he asked.
He said that if a standalone ministry is not immediately feasible, the government should create specialized departments under existing dockets such as disaster preparedness or water and environment to focus specifically on the region.
Wepukhulu emphasized the need for long-term solutions, including early warning systems, sustainable land management and planned resettlement of high-risk communities.
The prayer event, led by his highness Umukuuka Mudoma, brought together leaders, members of the 12th Parliament and religious figures; and also focused on fostering unity among the Bamasaba people in Uganda,Kenya and the diaspora .
His highness Umukuuka Mudoma urged leaders to work together in confronting the region’s challenges, emphasizing unity as a foundation for development and effective advocacy.
Wepukhulu echoed the call, saying disunity had slowed progress in the region despite its historical significance in Uganda’s independence.
“We came here to pray against the spirit of disunity and ask God to embrace us with unity and togetherness as the Bamasaba people,” he said.
He announced plans to form a Bugisu parliamentary caucus to strengthen coordination among leaders, supported by digital communication platforms to improve collaboration.
Wepukhulu described the incoming 12th Parliament as “unique and generational,” and pledged to prioritize development and accountability.
He warned that leaders who fail to address the region’s challenges would be judged harshly by history, but expressed confidence that with unity and decisive government action, Bugisu can overcome its recurring disasters.
Ends.
