This press briefing is intended to inform the general public of the National Policy that has recently been approved by Cabinet on Disaster Management and Preparedness which for long has not been in existence. Members of the Public, Local Governments, Partners in Disaster Risk Reduction and other Stake holders will at a later stage receive a simplified version of this Policy.

Back Ground Information

This Policy stems from  Article 249 of the Uganda Constitution, which calls for an end to intolerable and persistent loss of Life, suffering and disruption of economic activities by disasters resulting from lack of preparedness and patchy un coordinated responses.
The mandate of disaster department which I preside over in the Office of the Prime Minister, is derived from this Article and it includes coordination of disaster preparedness and management interventions at national, district and lower levels, so as to (i) Minimise the impact of disasters on the population, (ii) promote and ensure integration of disaster preparedness and management into national and local government socio-economic development plans and (iii) minimise vulnerability levels of the people of Uganda against natural and human induced hazards so as to save lives and livelihood assets when disasters occur.
To fulfill this mandate, my Ministry initiated a comprehensive process to develop a Policy that details mechanisms and structures for the effective and practical handling of disasters. I am glad to inform you that this Policy has formally been approved by Cabinet.

Scope of this Policy
a)    The Policy covers broad subjects of vulnerability assessment, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery which constitute comprehensive disaster management.
b)    It net works all lead public sectors, local governments, international development and humanitarian partners, the private sector and NGOs under the principle of a multi- disciplinary and multi- skilled consultative approach.

c)    It presents an institutional frame work under which the partners coordinate their operations.

d)    It recognizes the need to place emphasis on the vulnerable groups and persons with special needs such as; un accompanied minors, the elderly, the mentally hand capped and physically disabled, victims of physical abuse or violence, the lactating and persons with HIV/AIDS.

Justification of this Policy

a)    Disaster loss and damage is on the increase in Uganda with grave consequences for survival, dignity and livelihood of our citizens, particularly the poor. It also erodes Uganda’s and hard-won development gains.

b)    There are increasing vulnerabilities to the Ugandan society relating to the changing demographics, technological, geological, climatic and socio-economic conditions such as rural- urban migrations and competition for scarce resources.

c)    Over the past two decades, on average more than 200,000 Ugandans have been affected every year by disasters, recent cases include; Bududa mudslides, floods and drought particularly in the Karamojong region. In 2008, drought affected over 750,000 people and one year later (2010), mudslides killed 250, with over 8,500 directly affected.

d)    Events of hydro metrological origin constitute the largest numbers of natural disasters in Uganda. Despite the growing understanding and acceptance of the importance of disaster risk reduction and increased disaster response capacities, disasters and in particular the management and reduction of risk, continue to pose a national challenge.

e)    Disaster risk management is a multi sectoral and multi disciplinary field, which require policy guidelines and approaches to effectively address coordination issues there in, the Disaster Policy will now address these issues.

The Policy Objectives

a)    Establish Disaster Preparedness and Management Institutions at National and Local Government levels for effective response and management for example; the Nationa Emergency and Coordination Center which is already in place, DDMCs, SDMC and VDMCs at the local governments.
b)    To equip Disaster Preparedness and Management institutions and ensure that the country is prepared at all times to cope with and manage disasters.
c)    To integrate Disaster Preparedness and Management into development processes at all levels.
d)    To promote research and technology in disaster risk reduction
e)    To generate and disseminate information on early warning for disasters and hazard trend analysis
f)    To promote public, private partnerships in Disaster Preparedness and Management.
g)    To create timely, coordinated and effective emergency response at national, district and lower level local governments.
Before concluding, let me highlight a few achievements we have registered as a department in managing disasters and their effects recently;

Resettlement of Bududa disaster Victims
a)    602 households have been resettled at Kiryandongo Government land; each house hold was allocated 2.5 acres
b)    602 acres have been ploughed
c)    Each house hold was given plant seeds (maize and beans) and 1 bag of cassava cuttings to plant
d)    A new Police post to guarantee security of residents is under construction
e)    A new health center iii has been established, equipped and staffed
f)    The first phases of 100 permanent houses by government are under construction, each family will eventually be given a permanent house.
g)    Plans to provide solar powered bore holes and overhead tanks with gravitational flow to each home are under way.
Other achievements
a)    Assisted the return and resettlement of the last group of IDPs ( 513,981 people) who were still living in the camps mostly in Gulu and Amuru Districts (displaced by LRA) and Katakwi District (displaced by Karimojong)
b)    Quick Impact Projects for IDPs who returned home were expanded in the sub-regions of Acholi, Lango & Teso. Sub-regions and shillings 1,500,000,000/-, 1,400,000,000/-, and 853,000,000/- were disbursed respectively.
c)    Provided relief food and non-food relief items to 1,800,000 disaster victims covering Karamoja as a result of drought, Teso due to water logging, Lango due to drought and Acholi, as a result of displacement plus parts of Western Uganda and Central Uganda due to hailstorms and drought.
d)    Hazard maps and Vulnerability Assessment reports of the whole country was done. This is intended for preparedness & planning purposes.
e)    Mines/Un-exploded Ordinances clearance operations in the former conflict ravaged sub-regions of Teso, Lango, Acholi & Rwenzori was completed.
Lastly, members of the public should note that we cannot stop natural hazards from occurring. But collectively we can stop them from turning into social and economic disasters. I wish therefore to urge fellow country men and women to take active role in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Policy in order to achieve the national vision that no one should die or suffer for lack of help during a disaster.

PROF. TARSIS BAZANA KABWEGYERE
MINISTER FOR RELIEF, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND REFUGEES