Kamwenge: Hailstorm wreaks havoc across district

Farmers in Four sub-counties of Kamwenge district are counting losses after hailstorms wreaked havoc in the district following a heavy downpour that started on Wednesday night and later resumed Thursday for the better part of the day.

Residents say the rain, which was characterized by hailstorms, and heavy winds also left many people homeless after their roofs were blown off their houses.

The most affected sub-counties include Kahunge, Nkoma, Bwizi and Ryakahungu town council.

According to the farmers in Kahunge town council, four villages of Kabwisana Kihura and Rwenkuba in Rwenkuba ward were the worst hit, while in Nkoma sub-county three villages of Mpanga in Mabale parish, Rushenyi in Bishozi parish, and  Kaberere in Kaberebere parish were also not spared

In Ryakahungu town council two villages of Kakinga in Kakinga ward and Kanyonza in Kanyonza ward were mostly affected while in Bwizi sub-county two villages of Kasorora and Nyamabare also greatly were affected.

Gordon Gumisiriza, a farmer from Kabwisana village in Kihura ward Kahunge town council says he lost one acre of beans, an acre of maize and banana plantation.

Elizabeth Namara resident of Rwenkuba village says that she lost two acres of beans, an acre of coffee,sorghum, valued at six million shillings.

She adds that this has stressed her since has been expecting good harvests. She is appealing to government to make an assessment over lost items and compensate them.

Robert Namara the district councilor Kahunge town council said that they have started to conduct registration of the affected communities so that they can come out with comprehensive report which will be submitted to the district production department.

“We want the production department to give us new seeds to replant or else we are headed for famine in the coming days,” Nyakahuma noted. “We are appealing to all well-wishers and people of goodwill to help us with daily basics, people are homeless and hungry without any food.”

Joseph Karungi the Kamwenge district LC5 chairperson said he is receiving overwhelming calls from various people asking for help specifically food items, shelter, and seeds as a result of hailstorm.

“I have already instructed the district production committee department to make an assessment report so that we can know the magnitude of the problem, the report will be submitted to the office of the prime minister for immediate intervention,” stated.