Govt delivers relief to storm-hit Kalangala residents

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KALANGALA – The Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, has delivered relief to victims of a March 2025 storm that some believed was a cyclone. At the time the storm struck, 250 households were left homeless, killing four people.

On March 15, 2025, islanders were shocked after a cyclone which used to hit Lakeshores exceeded limits, went through five villages in Kalangala town council.

A day after the incident, disaster preparedness state minister Lilian Aber visited the affected residents and told them that the President of Uganda had promised to give shillings five million to families that lost their dear ones, one million to the injured and iron sheets for those whose houses were destroyed.

Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala delivering sh5m to a family member of Police officer who lost life in the storm that hit Kalangala. (Photo by Samuel Nkuba)

So, on August 13, the presidential pledge was fulfilled with 33 victims injured in the rare phenomenon getting shillings one million, four families that lost their relatives got five million each, and 7,440 iron sheets were distributed among those whose houses were destroyed. 

“We first delivered food and other simple reliefs, and now, the presidential pledge has been fulfilled. We urge you to desist from selling these materials but use them to rebuild your homes,” Aber said.

Works and transport minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala urged them to utilise the little they have got as other well-wishers continue to help them in the process of rebuilding their lives.

Kalangala legislators lauded the Government for the relief, which they said was timely since the ministry has been responding in different ways right from the time of this tragedy.

“I implore our people to respect the island's culture, grow more trees which have been cut down, leaving islands open to such disasters that claim our people’s lives,” said Kalangala woman MP Hellen Nakimuli.

Wislon Sseguya, who is still nursing wounds in Masaka Hospital, told New Vision Online that though he has used over shillings two million, the one million delivered to him is a huge boost for his recovery efforts.

Deogratius Puwata, a proprietor of Kalangala Home for Disabled Children, said: “We have been rebuilding using the little help from community and well-wishers and with these 50 iron sheets given to the home will see all the construction works done as well as roofing our structures.”