Kampala — People in Hoima district are facing an acute shortage of food following a devastating hailstorm in May this year.

Residents have also blamed the food scarcity on the unpredictable rainfall pattern, leading to poor harvests. The hailstorm, which struck Bugambe and Kiziranfumbi, also killed a number of domestic animals.

The Kiziranfumbi sub-county chairman, Baltza Maharaja, said on Wednesday that the worst affected parishes were Bulimya and Munteme. He said many people were forced to buy food at high prices. "May people, who have never bought food in the market before, are now competing for the few food items available there," Maharaja said.

The LC1 chairperson of Bujugu east village in Ruguse parish in Bugambe sub-county, Antonio Kiiza, said many family heads were now trekking long distances in search of food to buy.

"People who have not yet reached here may not believe it. We are forced to move long distances to look for food to feed ourselves and our children. Many walk to Kiziranfumbi to buy food or else they sleep hungry," he lamented.