Onion farmers in Rukonji Parish, Nyarusiiza Subcounty, Kisoro District, have expressed concern over the heavy downpours that destroyed their crops, which could lead to increased poverty and famine in the near future.
The rains, which fell on Saturday and Sunday, affected villages in Buzeyi, Kabaya, Musasa, and Mugwata, leaving the community worried about their survival.
Farmers revealed that many of their crops, especially onions, potatoes, and beans, were devastated by the floods, causing widespread anxiety over the potential for famine, as their livelihoods depend heavily on onion harvests.
The residents have called on the government, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to intervene and provide assistance to prevent a looming crisis.
“We lost our onion gardens to the floods, but unfortunately, our leaders have remained silent while the people of Rukonji are starving. We took loans from different financial institutions and money lenders, using some of our assets as collateral.
Yet the government of Uganda remains silent, and in 2026, we will remain silent too,” the residents lamented.
Apollonai Ngaruye, the LC2 Chairperson of Rukonji Parish, revealed that the community frequently faces such disasters, often with no help from the relevant authorities. He urged the Kisoro District Local Government to support those affected to improve their livelihoods. “Heavy downpours have destroyed onion farms, as well as potato, maize, beans, and vegetable plantations, but we are being neglected by the ruling government,” Ngaruye said.
Meanwhile, LC3 Councilor Hakiza Rodgers of Rukonji Parish called for the government to collaborate with other stakeholders to assist the affected farmers. He emphasized that many farmers had invested in their gardens using funds from the Parish Development Model (PDM) and loans from financial institutions.
“Most onion farmers in Rukonji used PDM funds to invest in their gardens, but unfortunately, their crops have been washed away.
I appeal to financial institutions and money lenders to be lenient with the farmers, as the government of Uganda is expected to intervene in the situation,” Hakiza said.
