Sh120m Kasese Crops Destroyed By Wind

By John B. Nzinjah Crops worth over sh120m at Mubuku Irrigation scheme in Kasese was recently destroyed by strong wind, hailstones and heavy rain. A government official in-charge of the scheme, Deo Munyanzikwiye, told The New Vision recently the crops destroyed included beans, maize, soya beans and hot pepper, which covered 100 acres of land. "Floods from River Ssebwe which supplies the scheme with water have buried the crops under mud after wind and hailstorms that accompanied a heavy down pour on the night of May 15 pounded the stalks to the ground," Munyazikwiye said. He said no crop at the scheme survived. He also said a house was destroyed but no person was injured. Kasese district has experienced heavy rains since the beginning of this month. LCs from various parts of the district have have expressed fear of an acute shortage of food in the near future. The district agricultural officer, Theresa Munyanzikwe, said the heavy rains in the area have affected perennial crops in the district. About two weeks ago, four people including three children died in landslides in Kilembe and Kyarumba due to heavy rains in the Rwenzori Mountains. Ends