Downpour destroys houses, plantations in Ibanda Municipality
IBANDA - Residents of two villages in Kabale ward in Bisheshe Division in Ibanda municipality are crying foul following a downpour that destroyed their houses and crops last evening.
Heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorms and gusty winds, destroyed at least 30 houses and a number of plantations in the villages of, Kyembogo and Kagango.
According to residents, the hailstorm destroyed their banana plantations, cassava crops and gardens on top of the killing of animals like goats among others.
Kyembogo primary school, a local government aid primary school was not spared either. One of the school’s building roofs was blown off due to a heavy downpour.
Johnson Kanyomozi, the division chairperson said the damage was big and appealed to the government to intervene and support locals who are most likely to face the problem of food shortage.
“Some of the affected residents slept at their neighbors’ homes due to lack of shelter at their homes. The government should come in to help its people,” said Kanyomozi.
“As the rain started it was followed by strong winds and hailstorms which destroyed crops and houses,” said Jane Nyamwiza one of the affected residents
Francis Ngabirano, one of the residents whose roof of the house was blown off, called upon the government of Uganda to extend relief to these affected individuals by providing them with seeds, iron sheets and financial support.
He said it could be difficult for their children to go to school since all their crops and gardens were destroyed by rain and there is no hope for them to get school fees.
Apollo Kibeherere the Ibanda municipality mayor who visited the affected has started the process of registering the affected families whose names will be submitted to the office of the prime minister and the Ministry of disaster and preparedness for help.
Kibeherere added that the municipal council does not have a disaster budget to help people but he called upon government intervention since a larger number of people have been affected.
Source: New Vision