KIKUUBE, July 12, 2024 – More than 400 farmers from five villages in Kasonga parish, Bukinda parish in Kyangwali Sub-county in Kikuube district are counting losses after heavy hailstorms pounded the area, killing livestock, and destroying crops in the farms.
The hailstorms, accompanied by strong winds, pounded the area Thursday evening and destroyed people’s houses.
The most hit areas are Kyeya, Katoma, Nyakabingo, Kanara and Nyamigisa. The affected residents say famine might strike the area since all the crops they had planted including maize, beans, sorghum, and bananas, among others have been destroyed.
According to Donosius Byaruhanga, Councilor for Kasonga parish, over 20 homesteads were destroyed by the heavy rainstorms and strong winds that uprooted rooftops of houses.
The heavy hailstorms also left Sinapu Church of Uganda in Nyamigisa destroyed. Byaruhanga noted that several gardens of bananas, maize and other crops were destroyed while livestock were killed by heavy hailstorms.
John Tubahemuka, a farmer, lost 10 acres of banana plantation and one acre of cassava. According to him, the plantation has been the source of income and food for his family, but they are now stranded as a result of the hailstorms destroying his farms.
Christine Mukaneza, another affected farmer and resident of Katoma said the strong winds carried off the roof of her house. She said she has nowhere to shelter herself and the children, and called for help from well wishers.
Emmanuel Bisemeza from Kyangwali Sub-county said the houses hosting Kanara Police Post were destroyed. He added that some people including the children were injured during the incident.
He called on the Kikuube district authorities to intervene and assess the situation, noting that over 20 families have nowhere to stay and therefore, need to be supported with construction materials to put up temporary shelters.
Barnabus Ntume, Kikuube District Production Officer said the district disaster management committee would assess the magnitude of the damage before lobbying relief for the affected residents.
Nestori Nestori Tumwesigye, Secretary for Production, Kikuube district council said that immediate intervention was needed to help the affected families.
Recently, Peter Banura, the Kikuube district LCV Chairman said the district had no disaster funds to support the residents affected by natural disasters.
Kikuube district is prone to such catastrophes: In April, over 3,000 families in the same district were left homeless after a hailstorm occurred. Experts blame the problem on the increasing environmental degradation.
https://thecooperator.news/hailstorms-destroy-more-than-1000-acres-of-food-crops-in-nwoya-district/
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