Disaster: Hailstorm Destroy Crops, Houses In Lyantonde, Locals Cry For Rescue

By Patience Ampaire

It is a dark moment for locals in Kabatema village, Kaliiro Sub county, Lyantonde district where hailstorm hit their plantations & animals and left their houses in a sorry state.

Kiyimba Robert the Chairperson LC1 Kanoni village, Kabatema parish says that heavy rains this week left many houses and plantations down adding that locals are now left without food, calling upon leaders to come to their rescue.

Karema Becca working with Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) a center of excellence on weather and climate services for sustainable development of Uganda, said that this season will receive a lot of rain due to el-niño salvation.

He added that districts like Sembabule, Rakai, Lyantonde, Kiboga will receive heavy rains including storms. He called upon the farmers to grow crops that need a lot of water and for the cattle keepers, they should work with veterinary officers and agriculture extension workers to curb disease that comes with these rains.

Kalema said that the rains to be experienced this year were last seen in 1997. It is against this background that he warned residents living in hilly areas of Budduda to migrate in advance to avoid the effects of landslides and flooding.

Kusasira Moses a farmer in Kyetume, Katovu Luwama, Lyantonde district advised his fellow farmers to be vigilant and get prepared for any climate change. He narrated how rains in 1997 smashed everything of theirs, noting he has been following UNMA reports and 90% of them are correct.

Daniel Ategyeka the Agricultural Officer Kaliiro Sub county revealed that the report about Lyantonde disaster has already reached the Office of the Prime Minister through the Chief Administrative Officer, and they are now awaiting the response.

Meanwhile, the affected locals were relieved when Mr Ben Kavuya a farmer and businessman in Kabatema donated foodstuff to over 58 homesteads that were heavily hit by the storm.

While delivering his message at Lugala Primary School where the beneficiaries were gathered, Kavuya said that he was informed by the local authorities about the calamity and was touched thus the donation.

”Am not so rich, but I felt like I should draw a smile on the faces of you who are affected by the storms,” said Kavuya.

It is worth noting that the big-hearted businessman has for long been supporting locals in Lyantonde. He constructed Kabatema Health Centre II, in Kaliro Sub-county which is now providing maternity and other services to locals in the district.

He also called upon the people of Kabatema and Lyantonde at large to engage in government programs like Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga among others to overcome poverty.

Nayebare Jane the Sub County Chief Kaliiro Subcounty thanked Mr Kavuya and his family for having a heart of patriotism and wishing the people of Kabatema to live better through social-economic support.

Have An Advert Or Article You Want Us To Publish? Whatsapp: +256760530830.