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Mbarara and Bushenyi residents affected by hailstorm receive relief items

MBARARA CITY, January 11, 2025 – The Office of the Prime Minister [OPM] has provided relief items including food to the residents of Rukindo village in Nyakayojo Ward, who were severely affected by a hailstorm in August 2024.

During the distribution of the relief items a few days ago at Rukindo Ward, Vicent Mugabi, Senior Agriculture Officer for Mbarara City, explained that the aid was a joint effort by Mbarara City’s Disaster Management Committee that prepared a report and requested support from the OPM.

According to Vicent, 170 households benefited from the assistance. Each household received 50 kg of maize flour and 25 kg of beans, which the locals warmly welcomed, expressing gratitude for the government’s support in alleviating their hunger.

“The cell most affected was Rukindo in Rukindo Ward, where many gardens, including banana plantations, were destroyed. However, we have also been able to assist other vulnerable individuals and neighbouring villages in Bugashe, Rwakishakizi, and Nyarubungo Wards,” Mugabi said.

The hailstorm also devastated crops in several villages, including Macuro, Kitagata, Kibaya, Rucece, Kibingo, Nshungyenzi, Misyamo, Kabingo, and Kagando A & B. Among the destroyed crops were maize, beans, millet, cassava, bananas, and sweet potatoes.

Jomo Mugabe, Division Mayor of Mbarara City South, highlighted the growing problem of livestock theft in his area, urging security forces to take action.

“One man, Besigye, had three cows stolen in three days. Mrs. Katura had her cow stolen during the festive season, and Jolly Sabune of the Cotton Authority lost two cows. If nothing is done, we will take matters into our own hands, as we can no longer sit idly by,” Mugabe said.

He also encouraged residents to work hard and seek ways to improve their household incomes, urging them not to rely solely on government handouts.

“If you work hard, you can achieve many things for yourselves instead of constantly relying on handouts. What will happen when the maize flour they gave you runs out? We must grow our own crops to protect ourselves from famine,” Mugabe remarked.

“You must work hard and practice farming. It’s not acceptable to continually beg for help and become vulnerable when you have the ability to survive,” he added.

Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi emphasised that development is reaching the villages and urged locals to take advantage of land title processing to increase the value of their land.

“I encourage you to process your land titles. For those of you who still have land, do not sell it cheaply, as the city is expanding towards the villages,” Kakyebezi advised.

Haruna Mutesasira, a resident of Rukindo-Kyarubaya Cell in Rukindo Ward, shared the difficulty he faces in feeding his family of 12 after the hailstorm destroyed his banana plantation.

Jovanice Kenyina from Rukindo Cell also expressed her gratitude, saying, “I had planted cassava and beans to support my family of ten, but the hailstorm destroyed them. Every day, I spend Shs 3,000 to buy one kilogram of posho, but I am now thankful to the government for providing us with posho, which will help us survive.”

In addition, over 4,000 families from six sub-counties in Bushenyi District received 20 tonnes of maize flour and 10 tonnes of beans from the OPM, following the hailstorm that damaged their crops, livestock, and homes in October 2024. The affected sub-counties include Kyamuhunga, Nyabubare, Kyeizooba, Kakanju, Bitooma, Bumbaire, and Kyabugimbi, among others.

Jaffari Basajjabalaba, the Bushenyi District LCV Chairperson, commended the government for supporting those affected by the hailstorm by providing essential relief items.

Lauben Kanaga, LC III Chairperson of Kakanju Subcounty, assured that the relief items would be distributed properly to ensure they reached the affected families.

https://thecooperator.news/farmers-count-losses-after-hailstorms-destroy-crops-in-serere/

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