More than 300 households affected by a recent windstorm in Rwimi Sub County, Bunyangabu District, have received more than 11 tonnes of maize flour and five tonnes of beans as emergency relief from the Office of the Prime Minister.
The storm destroyed large areas of banana plantations in Bunyangabu, one of Uganda’s major matoke-producing districts, raising concerns about food security and household incomes in the coming months.
Area MP Victor Kalenzi thanked the Office of the Prime Minister for responding to the needs of residents following the disaster.
District Woman MP Sarah Kabarokore said the district had also requested iron sheets to help affected households, but these were not immediately available.
She said residents had been asked to wait for further assistance, adding that a subsequent distribution was expected to focus on seeds to enable affected farmers to restore their livelihoods.
Kabarokore also said local leaders would mobilise their own resources to support the affected communities instead of relying entirely on assistance from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Bunyangabu LCV Chairperson Peter Musinguzi urged residents to plant quick-maturing crops, including Irish potatoes, to cushion them against the loss of banana plantations.
He also called on communities to plant trees that can serve as windbreaks and reduce the impact of strong winds on crops and homes.
The affected residents, led by Samuel Apuuli, said the storm had severely disrupted their livelihoods and thanked local leaders for supporting them following the disaster-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
