Windstorm Leaves Rukungiri Farmers Counting Losses

Windstorm Leaves Rukungiri Farmers Counting Losses

’A violent windstorm has destroyed banana, cassava, sweet potato and sugarcane plantations belonging to more than 300 residents in Rukungiri Municipality, leaving affected farmers counting losses and worried about how they will recover.

The storm, which was accompanied by heavy rains that pounded the area for nearly eight hours, hit Ndorero and Kanyinya wards in Southern Division, flattening crops and damaging gardens that farmers depend on for food and income.

Affected farmers said strong winds flattened banana and sugarcane plantations and destroyed cassava and sweet potato gardens, with some reporting losses running into acres.

“We are appealing to the government to intervene urgently before the situation worsens,” the affected farmers said.

Moses Twinomujuni, 46, a father of four, said his two-acre banana plantation was completely destroyed.

“I am stuck because the windstorm has left me with nothing to feed my four children, who will be home for the school holiday soon. I am appealing to the government for help because the situation could get worse if nothing is done,” Twinomujuni said.

He appealed for government support with quick-maturing maize seedlings to help affected families restore their food supply.

Fortunate Ainemugisha, 32, a mother of three, said the storm destroyed her banana plantation and one acre of cassava.

“In the coming days I will be surviving on prayers and God’s mercy because the storm hit me hard. I am praying to God to provide for my family,” Ainemugisha said.

Aggrey Mugisha, another affected farmer, said he lost about two acres of bananas.

“The destruction of my banana plantation has dashed my hopes of providing for my family and paying school fees for my four children in boarding school,” Mugisha said.

For Caroline Musiime, 36, the destruction was another blow after she suffered a similar loss last year.

Musiime said this was the second time in two years that a storm had destroyed her banana plantation.

“Last year I lost my banana plantation to hail. I don’t know why this is happening to me. I believe this is God’s plan and I trust He will provide for my family because I have no other option now,” Musiime said.

Southern Division LC3 Chairperson Joel Gumisiriza said the division leadership had compiled a list of farmers affected by the storm.

He urged residents to continue cultivating where possible as government works on possible relief measures.

“Some farmers are likely to face hunger after losing their gardens to floods and the storm. We also urge farmers to stay alert because more rains are expected in parts of the sub-county,” Gumisiriza said.

Gumisiriza said efforts were underway to establish the full extent of the damage and appealed to the government and humanitarian agencies to support affected families with relief food, seedlings and other necessities.

Rukungiri Municipality Mayor Boaz Matita Kamsiime called for calm among affected families, saying his office was aware of the destruction.

“The division chairperson informed me about the destruction. Early next week I will visit the affected families. Let them remain calm as we look for solutions,” Matita said.

Residents said the latest storm was not the first disaster to destroy crops in the area.

Patrick Mugisha, a resident and affected farmer, said a hailstorm destroyed crops in the area last year, leaving many families without food.

He said affected residents did not receive relief following the previous disaster, raising concerns about how families will cope with the latest crop losses.