By KT Reporter
More than 40 families in Kakumiro District have been left homeless after heavy rains destroyed their homes and crops. The affected villages include Ijumangabo A and B, Katuweze, Buhumuliro, Rwesengye, and Kisenyi in Ijumangabo Parish, Mwitanzige Sub-County.The downpour, which started at around 5 p.m. on Sunday, was accompanied by strong winds and hail and lasted about two hours. The storm blew off the rooftops of several homes, leaving families out in the cold, and destroyed several hectares of garden crops, including beans, cassava, rice, bananas, and maize.
Residents say the destruction has caused immense suffering and call for immediate government intervention. Farmers warned that the loss of crops could trigger famine in the area. Many are appealing to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to provide relief food to prevent starvation. Justina Owimanna, a resident of Ijumangabo, expressed concern over the potential food shortages and loss of livelihoods.
Christine Specioza of Buhumuliro village said her recently planted maize, beans, bananas, and rice were all destroyed. Dickson Asaba from Rwesengye urged the government to provide quick-maturing seedlings to replace the lost crops. Mwitanzige Sub-County LCIII Chairperson, Mark Frank Ompaire, appealed to the Minister of Disaster Preparedness to send aid.
He said sub-county authorities are compiling a list of affected residents and the property lost to forward to the Office of the Prime Minister for assistance. This is not the first time Kakumiro has been affected by severe weather. In April 2023, more than 500 farmers in Mpasaana Sub-County and Town Council lost homes and gardens after a hailstorm destroyed crops in Bujaja, Lwamata, Kijungu, Mpongo, Lwamate wards, and Mpasaana Central. The downpour then destroyed maize, beans, bananas, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, and tobacco, leaving more than 50 homes damaged.
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