The Ministry of Water and Environment has ordered the immediate evacuation of 15,000 residents across four parishes downstream of the Mbarara Municipal Dam after structural engineers detected a 12-metre crack in the dam wall following last week's heavy rains.
"The structural integrity is compromised. We cannot wait," said Water Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred Okello. The dam holds 4.2 billion litres of water; a full breach would inundate Ruti, Kakiika and parts of Mbarara City Central Division.
UPDF, police and KCCA disaster units are coordinating the evacuation. Temporary shelters have been established at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and five local primary schools.
Engineers from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation are working to drain the reservoir as rapidly as possible to relieve pressure on the cracked section.
