Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms wreaked havoc across six villages in Mpigi district, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 28 residents.
The downpour began around 2:00 am on Thursday, April 18, 2024, targeting Kituntu sub-county villages including Bukemba A, B, Kitakyusa, Wattuba, Njeru, and Njeru B. The force of the storm demolished homes and destroyed crops in its path.
Among the victims were eight-year-old George Mayumba and nine-year-old Kisakye Ndagire, both students at Njeru Primary School. They lived with their grandmother, Pauline Nanfuka, in Njeru village.
A neighbor recounted the tragedy, explaining how Nanfuka’s house collapsed around 4:30 am, likely trapping the sleeping children under the rubble. The discovery of their deaths was made by neighbors who rushed to check on them after witnessing the house collapse. Nanfuka herself was found trapped amidst the debris.
The devastation affected hundreds of residents, with reports indicating that approximately 800 individuals from over 200 families were impacted. Kituntu LC3 chairperson Godfrey Nalima highlighted the urgent need for government assistance, emphasizing the plight of homeless families and the destruction of vital food crops.
Rescue efforts managed to retrieve over 28 injured individuals from collapsed buildings. These victims are currently receiving treatment at various local health centers and Gombe Hospital.
Mpigi District Woman Member of Parliament, Teddy Nambooze, visited the affected families to assess the situation and pledged to raise their plight in Parliament to ensure they receive necessary assistance. She was accompanied by other local leaders, demonstrating solidarity with the affected communities.
Karim Majid, the spokesperson for Katonga Police region, confirmed that the bodies of the deceased children were taken to Gombe Hospital mortuary for autopsy. Subsequently, they will be released to the family for burial arrangements.
