More than 130 households in Bunyangabu District are counting losses after a severe thunderstorm destroyed crops in Lyambeyire, Kyamiyaga and Kelizia zones in Kyamiyaga Parish, Buheesi Sub-county, over the weekend. The storm damaged several food crops, including cassava, bananas and beans, raising concerns about food shortages among affected families in the coming months.
Local leaders said the destruction has left many families worried about how they will recover, particularly those who depended on the affected plantations for food and income. Paul Muhimbo, the Buheesi Sub-county Local Council III chairperson, warned that the damage could trigger hunger if the affected families are unable to recover their crops.
He said he had already notified the district leadership and called for an assessment of the damage to determine the extent of losses and possible support for the affected households. Fred Fida, the Local Council chairperson for Lyambeyire, also expressed concern over the impact of the storm on the community.
Bunyangabu District Local Council V Chairperson Peter Musinguzi told URN on Monday that he was dispatching the district agricultural officer to assess the extent of the damage. Musinguzi, however, encouraged farmers to replant crops such as beans and cassava, saying the planting season was still favourable.
“We are sending the agricultural officer to assess the damage. Farmers should also take advantage of the remaining season to replant crops such as beans and cassava,” Musinguzi said. Bunyangabu County MP Victor Kalenzi said he would raise the matter in Parliament and called for measures to reduce the impact of similar disasters in future.
Kalenzi urged residents to plant more trees, noting that plantations located near trees appeared to have suffered less damage from the storm. Residents are now calling on the government to assess the losses and consider support for families whose crops were destroyed-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
