Daniel Edyegu
29 June 2009
Kampala — A hailstorm destroyed over 1,000 hectares of crops in seven villages in Masira sub-county, Sironko district on Saturday. The hailstorm affected over 1,500 people in the villages of Gombe, Gabugoto, Kisagali, Nakisa, Gibuzale, Maduwa and Kifundi.
Three friesian cows, four goats, chicken and wild birds also died in the storm that started with heavy rainfall at around midday and lasted five hours.
A child identified as Bernard Gidongo and a 68-year-old-man, James Mudwanya, sustained minor injuries. Masira sub-county is located near Mt. Elgon National Park and borders Kapchorwa district.
"The storm was characterised by excessive thunder and lightning before hailstones started landing. Soon, the whole ground was covered with hailstones and thick mist clouded the area," said Robert Senjezi, a resident of Maduwa village.
"My banana plantation and maize garden have been destroyed. I am left without any food in the house," lamented Atuberino Nabukonde, a 70-year-old widow.
Fred Mukwazi, the vice-chairman of Gombe, warned of starvation. He also said many parents had lost their source of income, adding that they might fail to take their children back to school for the third term.
"Coffee and onions are the main traditional cash crops here. Most of these crops were expected to be harvested between September to October. This destruction is likely to stretch families on end," Mukwazi said.
Jimmy Masiga, the internal security officer of Masira, said LC1 chairpersons had been told to carry out an assessment of the destruction to help in lobbying for relief aid.
Masiga noted that the residents needed food relief and seedlings for the next planting season.
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