Families in Lwengo and Rakai districts are counting their losses after heavy rains, strong winds and hailstones destroyed more than 50 houses and damaged crops, leaving residents struggling to find shelter and food.
More than 50 houses have been destroyed in Lwengo and Rakai districts after heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and hailstones swept through several villages, leaving families homeless and raising fears of food shortages.
The affected areas include Kaamuwaza-Kimuli, Bizo and Kikanika villages in Katuulo Parish, Kyazanga Sub-county, Lwengo District, and Kisamba A and Kihangire villages in Bugona Parish, Lwamaggwa Sub-county, Rakai District.
The storm struck on Sunday night, blowing off roofs, collapsing houses and damaging gardens that many households depend on for food and income.
When Nile Post visited the affected communities, residents were still searching through heaps of bricks, roofing materials and other debris in an attempt to salvage their belongings.
For many families, the destruction has left immediate questions about where to sleep, how to feed their children and how to recover from the loss of their homes and livelihoods.
Julius Byaruhanga, a secretary on the Singiro Local Council, described the devastation, saying residents were struggling to come to terms with the destruction caused by the heavy rain and strong winds.
Mathias Mayambala, a resident of Bizo village, said his house collapsed on his children, leaving the family without shelter and uncertain about its next meal.
“My house collapsed on my children, and now I do not know what to do next. I do not even know where our next meal will come from,” Mayambala said.
His account reflects the difficulties facing households that have lost their homes and the gardens that provide food and income.
In Bizo village, Local Council Chairperson Elia Kasimba appealed to the government to provide emergency assistance, warning that the destruction had also heightened concerns about security.
Kasimba said some residents kept their livestock inside their houses at night to protect the animals from theft, which he described as a persistent problem in the area.
With several houses now destroyed, he fears residents could struggle to protect their remaining property and livestock.
He urged the government to assist affected families with shelter and other essential supplies while addressing their immediate security concerns.
More Than 40 Houses Reportedly Collapse In Rakai Village
In Rakai District, Kisamba A village Local Council Chairperson Justus Mugisha said more than 40 houses had collapsed in his village, while gardens and other cultivated land were also damaged.
Mugisha called on authorities to prioritise vulnerable households, particularly elderly residents and people without the financial means to rebuild their homes or meet their basic needs.
He appealed for food relief and other emergency assistance to help families cope with the losses.
The reported destruction has also raised concerns about children's education, with some families struggling to find alternative accommodation as learners prepare for their final school-term examinations.
Parents whose homes have been destroyed face the additional challenge of ensuring that their children can continue attending school while the family searches for shelter and the means to meet basic needs.
Agriculture-dependent households are also concerned about the loss of crops, which could affect food supplies and household incomes in the coming weeks and months.
Residents say the damage to their gardens, combined with the destruction of homes, could deepen poverty among families that rely on subsistence farming and livestock keeping.
They have appealed to the government and other well-wishers to provide emergency shelter, food supplies and support to rebuild homes and restore livelihoods.
For the affected households, the immediate priorities are finding safe places to sleep, securing food and protecting their remaining belongings as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.