Heavy rains and storms destroy crops, houses in Bugangari

Residents in over four parishes of Bugangari Sub-county, Rukungiri District, are currently in total distress and panic after being hit by heavy rains and storms this evening.

Residents of Bugangari Parish, Nyabiteete Parish, Kakindo Parish, and Burama Parish have been left frustrated and devastated after the heavy rains and storms destroyed many crops, especially banana plantations, coffee plantations, and other properties, including houses in Kakibaya, leaving some residents without shelter.

Speaking to Boona FM, the former Bugangari Sub-county Woman District Councillor, Mrs. Teddy Tumushabe, reported that the situation is very serious, especially regarding coffee and banana plantations. She added that there are reports that some residents’ shelters (houses) and domestic animals may have been destroyed in the disaster.

She expressed concern on behalf of residents who had invested heavily and placed their hopes in agriculture, saying they are now facing a total disaster. She called upon the government to provide support, warning that residents may face hunger in the coming days since their hopes have been shattered.

Meanwhile, the Bugangari Sub-county LC3 Chairperson, Mr. Ahabwe Innocent, also known as Kaino, has reported devastating news from the area and confirmed that so far, at least four parishes have been affected by heavy rains and storms. He said reports of the disaster continue to increase, indicating that it has affected a wider area of the sub-county, damaging coffee, banana plantations, and other properties.

He said he is also a victim, as his coffee and banana plantations in Kakindo were badly destroyed by the storm. However, he believes that nearly every resident in the area has been affected.

He expressed sympathy towards the affected residents and pledged to immediately report to the government ministry responsible for disaster management, hoping they can receive support to overcome the anticipated difficult conditions caused by hunger.

Despite the area experiencing many days and months of prolonged drought without rain, the first rains have come heavily, accompanied by storms, turning into a disaster for residents. Currently, at least four parishes have been affected, although reports indicate that the disaster has affected a larger part of the sub-county, destroying various crops, especially coffee and bananas, as well as some residents’ properties, including shelters.