Storm destroys 200 homes in Wakiso
Apr 07, 2010
Mzee Manjeri heard tremors in her small brick house. As the wind blew and the rain started to fall, suddenly her house caved in and she had to run for dear life.
By Joshua Kato
Mzee Manjeri heard tremors in her small brick house. As the wind blew and the rain started to fall, suddenly her house caved in and she had to run for dear life.
“It started like any other rain. We did not expect that this was going to be our worst day in years,†she says.
This was the same case with over 200 other houses in Massajja B zone and Ndikutamadda, in Wakiso district, on April 1.
While the country’s attention was still focused on the Bududa disaster which happened over a month ago, the heavy, stormy rains that ravaged Wakiso destroyed homes, banana plantations and injured many people.
Residents say they do not know why the storm hit the area hard. From observation, the affected area is on a hill facing the lake.
According to Dr. Edward Maalo of Environmental Friends, there are many causes of destructive storms. Bare hills and areas with no trees are prone. So are areas near hills. He says at times two storms can cause destruction when they meet.
The area has some trees that would have acted as wind breakers. However, when the storm struck, many fell.
Unfortunately, as people tried to deal with the effects of the rains, thieves pounced on the few domestic items they had salvaged and stole them.
According to Godfrey Kijjongo, the LC3 vice-chairperson of Makindye, Sabagabo subcounty, this was a despicable act.
“Robbing victims of the storm was terrible. We pray the thieves bring back the stolen items,†he says. Residents generally lost beddings, cooking utensils, televisions, refrigerators and many household items.
“It was a tragedy that befell these people,†says Wakiso district woman MP, Rosemary Sseninde.
“As leaders of this area, we have come to assist them,†she says, adding that she only heard about the tragedy at night, many hours after it had happened.
She contacted the Uganda Red Cross to come to the victim’s assistance, which came in on Monday.
“Of the 215 homes we visited on Friday, we identified 122 that needed urgent assistance,†Sseninde says. Among the items handed out by the Red Cross were jerrycans, plates, cups, blankets and materials for erecting tents.
However, residents wanted much more than this. “We need iron sheets to re-construct our houses,†victims said.
MP Sseninde says the Red Cross played their part and it was now up to local leaders to mobilise other donors to help them re-construct their houses.
Mzee Manjeri heard tremors in her small brick house. As the wind blew and the rain started to fall, suddenly her house caved in and she had to run for dear life.
“It started like any other rain. We did not expect that this was going to be our worst day in years,†she says.
This was the same case with over 200 other houses in Massajja B zone and Ndikutamadda, in Wakiso district, on April 1.
While the country’s attention was still focused on the Bududa disaster which happened over a month ago, the heavy, stormy rains that ravaged Wakiso destroyed homes, banana plantations and injured many people.
Residents say they do not know why the storm hit the area hard. From observation, the affected area is on a hill facing the lake.
According to Dr. Edward Maalo of Environmental Friends, there are many causes of destructive storms. Bare hills and areas with no trees are prone. So are areas near hills. He says at times two storms can cause destruction when they meet.
The area has some trees that would have acted as wind breakers. However, when the storm struck, many fell.
Unfortunately, as people tried to deal with the effects of the rains, thieves pounced on the few domestic items they had salvaged and stole them.
According to Godfrey Kijjongo, the LC3 vice-chairperson of Makindye, Sabagabo subcounty, this was a despicable act.
“Robbing victims of the storm was terrible. We pray the thieves bring back the stolen items,†he says. Residents generally lost beddings, cooking utensils, televisions, refrigerators and many household items.
“It was a tragedy that befell these people,†says Wakiso district woman MP, Rosemary Sseninde.
“As leaders of this area, we have come to assist them,†she says, adding that she only heard about the tragedy at night, many hours after it had happened.
She contacted the Uganda Red Cross to come to the victim’s assistance, which came in on Monday.
“Of the 215 homes we visited on Friday, we identified 122 that needed urgent assistance,†Sseninde says. Among the items handed out by the Red Cross were jerrycans, plates, cups, blankets and materials for erecting tents.
However, residents wanted much more than this. “We need iron sheets to re-construct our houses,†victims said.
MP Sseninde says the Red Cross played their part and it was now up to local leaders to mobilise other donors to help them re-construct their houses.