Five injured in Katakwi storm

Over five people have been injured after buildings collapsed in Toroma Sub County, Katakwi District. 

The collapse of St. Peters Agule Catholic Church and other houses in Apuuton and Omiinya parishes was as a result of heavy wind accompanied by hailstorms that hit the sub county on Wednesday afternoon. 

The leaders in Toroma Sub County have identified the injured as Victorina Kongai, Charles Opio, Mzee Mackay Ngorok, a child of five years and Immaculate Oumo, 18, a senior three student of Toroma Peace SS. 

Kongai who is disabled was cut on the head by an iron sheet while at the church attending a youth conference.   

"Many are injured but the car which picked us was small and could not bring all of us and besides, it's my first time to see such a tragedy," Kongai said. 

Oumo said they were over 30 Christians mostly youth who were reporting for the fellowship scheduled for Thursday. 

Opio, 47, a resident of Akwakela village in Omiinya parish explained that his grass thatched house collapsed on him, children and wife Ann Grace Asio and he sustained injuries on his leg and the waist.  

Opio lost a permanent house and two other grass thatched huts.

"My other neighbours like Gereteruda Obwalinga, 67, was picked out of her house which collapsed on her," he said. 

The incident occurred between 3pm and 5pm.

John Bosco Orany the councillor Apuuton parish in Toroma Sub County said the hailstorms managed to destroy granaries, trees, gardens of crops and houses.

Those whose houses either collapsed or had roofs blown off are taking shelter at their neighbours, according to Orany. 

Silver Obetel the District Councillor for Toroma Sub County said Oumo who was seriously injured was last evening rushed to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and the rest had been admitted to Toroma Health Centre IV. 

According to Obetel, they last evening rushed to a few places to pick the people who were injured for treatment but others are still in the villages.

Angela Akengo the district female councillor for Omodoi and Toroma Sub Counties said a majority of the people affected by the tragedy are helpless in the villages and need some support from government. 

The leaders said they were still assessing the damage caused in the whole sub county. 

Gabriel Epeduno the officer in charge ward 2 in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital said Oumo was to be given more blood because she bled heavily but she will recover.