Hail storms displace 600 people in Sironko district

Over six hundred people from five sub counties in Sironko district are now homeless after hail storms blew their roofs and destroyed their houses.

The affected sub counties are Bukise, Elgon, Buchabo, Bugitimwa and Kikobelo where crops like tomatoes, bananas, and coffee among others were totally destroyed.

The storms have also ripped through gardens of bananas, Coffee, beans, tomatoes, as well as livestock farms especially those housing chicken among others

For close to four hours residents had to endure horrific pounding and strong winds according to Stephen Nagayi one of the affected residents from Bukise Sub County adding that now he alongside others have no food and shelter.

The only option being that he is taking refuge at his neighbour’s house with all his six family members which has led to scarcity of household food.

Michael Wambaka also affected tomatoes. A farmer from Bumalimba Sub County says that his entire tomato garden he had hoped to harvest around 2 million shillings and use to take his children to school next year was totally destroyed by the hail storm.

William Legeda, also among the affected residents, says that hail storms killed most of his birds and animals since the house they were staying in were destroyed during the heavy rains .

The families are now appealing to the ministry of disaster preparedness to intervene with support like relief food, and iron sheets.

John Nagai, the LCII chairperson of Busate parish in Bukise sub county, also says that he expects serious hunger in future if all food crops were totally destroyed by hail storms.

He also urged the district disaster management team Red Cross and other relevant agencies to hurry and support locals since they are currently having nothing to eat.