The Uganda Atlas

Bridge before 1998 floods

Bridge after 1998 floods

Edema Maurice 2008

Shifted bridge as result of flooding on Ebemi stream along the Laropi-Dufile Road

Rivers/streams The River Nile is fed by several perennial/seasonal streams such as Amua, Chala, Ebemi, Aburiji and Oyo. However, from 1980s to date many of the streams experienced siltation as result of changes in the livelihood of the local population, including from small scale fishing and animal rearing, to farming and extensive fishing. This is evidenced by cultivation of fragile ecosystems such as river banks, and opening up of new lands for agriculture by the local communities. Major flooding occurred in 1962 and 1998 Laropi/Dufile experienced frequent flooding during 1962 and 1998 and as a result several bridges on the rivers/ streams were shifted three times. In addition, a portion of the road along Laropi to Dufile trading centre was also shifted northwards.

Laropi lakes/Lagoons River Nile is one of the major rivers found in Uganda, and it forms the south eastern border of Moyo District. Over the past years it has been noticed that several small lakes (lagoons) have formed along the Nile (here referred to as Laropi lakes). In 1960s there were only two noticeable lagoons/lakes whereas in 1980 the number of lakes increased to five and in 2000 some of lakes merged. Only four new ones can now be observed. This could have been due to the heavy rainfall in 1962 and the apparent El Niño of 1997/98. This implies that the open water areas are increasing (see graph and the combined map of extent of lakes on the opposite page respectively). The trend shows that the lagoon/lake areas have been increasing over the years.

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