Hailstorm ravages crops, homes in Ntungamo
They warned that without immediate intervention, the affected communities could face severe food shortages in the coming months.
Ntungamo: Hundreds of residents in Rubaare Town Council in Ntungamo are counting losses after a heavy downpour accompanied by hailstorms destroyed crop gardens and damaged homes across several villages, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.
The affected areas include Kabirizi and Nyeihanga villages in Kyabukuju Ward, as well as Nyamurindira Village in Nyamurindira Ward and surrounding communities.
According to residents, the storm struck at around 3:35 p.m. and lasted for nearly an hour before briefly subsiding. It later resumed for another 45 minutes, causing widespread destruction to crops and property.
Several gardens were devastated, including maize, sweet potatoes, cassava, sorghum, beans, and banana plantations, leaving many households worried about food security and income. Strong winds accompanying the storm also blew off rooftops from several houses.
Anah Twijukye, a peasant farmer from Nyeihanga Cell in Kyabukuju Ward, said her two-acre garden of beans and cassava was completely destroyed.
She expressed concern about how she would provide food for her grandchildren following the loss.
Other residents, including Niwagaba Nickson, whose house roof was blown off, and Enid Kyohangirwe, said they are struggling to cope after losing both crops and household property.
The affected residents have appealed to local leaders and relevant authorities to provide emergency food assistance and agricultural inputs for replanting. They warned that without immediate intervention, the affected communities could face severe food shortages in the coming months.
Rubaare Town Council Mayor Venny Byakatonda urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that he would engage the district disaster management team to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate a response.
Meanwhile, Chrispus Mwesigye and leaders from Kyabukuju Ward expressed concern over the disaster and pledged to mobilize support for affected families.
Local leaders say an assessment of the damage is expected to guide relief efforts as authorities work to support households affected by the storm.
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