David Mafabi
30 October 2008
Sironko — Food shortage has struck Sironko District following heavy rains and floods in Bulambuli County, which has destroyed crops and infrastructure.
The unusual rainfall pattern characterised by hailstorms has ravaged crops in Bulegeni, Masira and Buginyanya sub-counties causing fear of famine. The heavy rains also destroyed property worth millions of shillings.
When Daily Monitor visited Bulambuli on Monday, gardens were still covered with soil eroded from the hills.
Roads were still covered with stones rolled from the hills and mud eroded from the hills, making transport difficult.
Bulambuli residents told Daily Monitor that all their crops have been destroyed. They said they are surviving on handouts from friends, relatives and good Samaritans. "We are stuck after the floods and landslides last year, our steps to recover from these disasters have not yielded any results as unusual heavy rainfall from June to October has swept our gardens, destroyed property and rendered us helpless," said Mr Ambrose Zebolo, a resident.
The Director of Wake Up Ministry, a local NGO which is providing assistance to the victims, Mr Martin Nangoli, urged the government to intervene.
Sironko LC5 chairman Wambi Kibale said the district was in the final stages of preparing a report on the extent of the disaster and the number of families affected to be sent to the Prime Minister's office for possible assistance. "People have suffered since last year when there were floods and this has been worsened by recent heavy rainfall patterns that have seen people lose their crops, domestic animals and even houses," Mr Kibale said.
The disaster report for Masira Sub-county alone accessed by Daily Monitor indicates that a total of 3,163 people have been affected by the heavy rainfall.
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