Heavy rains and hailstorms in April devastated seven villages in Kyangwali sub-county, Kikuube district, leaving over 300 families without crops and damaging many homes. The affected villages include Mandwiga, Wairaganza, Nyafunjo, Rwemiseke, and Kasungwa.
Peter Banura, the chairperson of Kikuube district, announced that there are no funds available to support these families. On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Banura responded to residents’ complaints about the district leadership’s lack of intervention. He explained that the district’s budget does not include funds for disaster relief.
Impact of the Hailstorm
The severe weather destroyed several hectares of food crops, including maize, beans, sorghum, and bananas. This has raised fears among residents that hunger will strike the area, as their main sources of food have been wiped out.
Bosco Sebasumgu, a resident of Mandwiga, reported losing two acres of maize and one acre of beans. He expressed frustration that no district leader had visited the area to assess the damage. Sebasumgu mentioned that they had written to the sub-county authorities, who forwarded the request to the district leadership, but no assessment or assistance had been provided.
Allen Katarikawe, another resident, said that the storm destroyed her house and two acres of cassava, beans, and maize. She, too, expressed disappointment with the lack of response from district authorities.
Calls for Relief
Olivia Tumusiume, the Kyangwali district councillor, stated that they had petitioned the district local government to seek relief for the affected families but had received no response. Tumusiume emphasized the urgent need for food relief and building materials to construct temporary shelters for those who lost their homes. She called on the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to intervene and support the community.
District’s Response
Peter Banura explained that the district had not assessed the damage on the ground because they lack disaster funds. He stated that previous requests for assistance from the OPM had gone unanswered, leading him to believe that petitioning the OPM again would be futile. Banura pointed out that the government is currently focused on other disaster-hit areas like Karamoja.
Banura also highlighted that Kikuube is prone to such disasters, noting that last season over 100 families were left homeless by a similar hailstorm. Experts attribute the recurring problem to increasing environmental degradation in the area.
