By URN
More than 200 farmers in Kyangwali sub-county in Kikuube district are counting losses after a hailstorm destroyed their gardens.
The most affected farmers are from Kanara, Nyakabingo, Bukinda, Kyeya and Kasonga villages in Kasonga Parish in Kyangwali sub-county.
The heavy downpour on Thursday evening left more than 20 homes destroyed with many people sleeping out in the cold. It also demolished the Kanara police post.
The residents have lost garden crops including maize, beans, banana plantations, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, and tobacco among others.
Some of the victims have pitched camp in the nearby churches after their homes were destroyed.
The farmers say the magnitude of the destruction is likely to trigger famine since most crops are damaged.
Jasper Mugisha, a resident of Kyeya village says his hope of paying school fees for his children has varnished, stating that he had expected to sell maize to raise school fees but it has been destroyed.
Loyce Kebirungi, a farmer in Kanara village says, her four acres of rice were destroyed.
Donozius Byaruhanga, the area councilor has appealed to the Minister of Disaster Preparedness to send aid to the affected persons stating that the residents are currently food crisis and that some of the affected families are currently being accommodated by their neighbors.
Emmanuel Bisemeza, the LC3 Chairperson for Kyangwali said they are compiling a list of the affected residents for onward transmission to the Office of the Prime Minister for assistance.
In September 2021, more than 200 farmers in Kakumiro district were hit hard after a hailstorm ravaged their gardens. The affected residents were from the sub-counties of Kibijjo, Kikoora, Kakindo Kasingo, Ibambara, Kanyawawa, and Kitaihuka town councils.
The hailstorm destroyed several acres of beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, and banana plantations. Some animals including goats also died as a result of the hailstorm.
In May 2022, more than 300 farmers in Burara Sub County, Hoima District were greatly affected after a hailstorm destroyed their gardens.
The most affected farmers were from the villages of Ngobye, Burara, Kibingo, and Busanga in Buraru sub-county.
They lost crops that included maize, tobacco, cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, rice, and banana plantations that were destroyed by the heavy downpour coupled with a hailstorm.
