4 injured, 145 homesteads destroyed as storm pounds Buliisa

Robert Atuhairwe & Priscillar Nyamahunge   

Not long after police recovered 28 bodies of the people last week who were killed during a storm which devastated Butiaba Sub-County in Buliisa district along Lake Albert shores, the area has been pounded with another storm.

John Rutagira, the Buliisa district police commander told New Vision on Tuesday evening that the Monday night storm which lasted for an hour left 4 people injured and 145 homesteads destroyed.

He said the storm that hit Kigwera village in Kigwera Sub-County followed a heavy downpour leaving residents homeless.

Rutagira identified some of the injured as 7-year-old Crispus Kyomuka, Zulaina Bulasidi, 65 and Teopista Bamuturaki all residents of Kigwera village.

He said the injured were rushed to Buliisa health centre IV and were getting medication and treatment for the wounds sustained.

"Details are still scanty as we are compiling but in this one at least no signs that people have died like the one of last week, I will get back to you," he added.

He said by press time people were putting up temporary shelters as they wait for intervention from the local authorities and the office of the prime minister.

Rutagira said they have so far recovered 28 bodies of the people who were reported missing following a storm which occurred at 1:00AM on Tuesday last week, lasting two hours.

Many houses and public places, including Nyamukuta police post and Butiaba Health Centre III roofs were blown off by the storm.

Hundreds of residents were left without shelter after 608 had their  roofs blown off in Walukuba, Nyamukuta, Bugoigo and Butiaba landing sites.

Other facilities affected by the storm, include Butiaba Primary School, one block at Butiaba Seed Secondary school, Nyamukuta primary school and Walukuba church of Uganda.

Boats and fishing canoes on water at the time were washed away and most of the occupants were feared to have drowned. Many ran in
disarray. House properties and animals were also affected.

Rutagira who said they recovered another body on Monday from last  week's storm, added that they are still on the waters to search for more bodies with the aid of marine police.