Uganda Atlas of Our Changing Environment - GRID-Arendal

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.
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Bridge before 1998 floods
Bridge after 1998 floods
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.
Edema Maurice 2008