Bushenyi hailstorm ravages acres of food crops

BUSHENYI  - As many as 1,000 residents of several villages in Bushenyi district have been left desperate in the wake of a destructive hailstorm at the weekend.

Several acres of tea, cassava, bananas and other crops are destroyed in the downpour that lasted three hours in Mashonga parish, Kyamuhunga sub-county.

Six villages were affected, including Kibingo,Omukayembe, Kihizi and Kibazi.

Some people were seen collecting hailstones from their gardens in the aftermath. Affected families are now known to be in need of food relief.

Abdul Sabiiti said his ten acres of tea gardens and cassava were ravaged by the ruthless storm. He fears his family might face acute food shortage in the coming months.

The area LC3, Ignatius Musokye said Sunday that his office has started assessment of the damage in all the affected villages.

"I have sent a team from my office to all the areas affected to establish the extent of the damage before we can know how much was damaged and the assistance required," he said.

Nuwe Sula Katura, the councilor representing Mashonga parish, warned that the area could be affected by famine, and appealed for urgent intervention.

"The damage is serious and I don't know how my people will survive. It destroyed most of the staple food stuffs used by the people in this area. I pray that government comes in quickly to help."

John Byomukama, the secretary for production, also district councilor for Bitooma sub-county, said all LC1 chairpersons should compile the lists of affected people and appealed also urged for government's aid.