Heavy storm hits Ntoroko, destroys churches, schools

Ntoroko MP Martin Bahinduka Mugarra (C) with resents stand in a church which was destroyed by the storm that hit Ntoroko District recently. PHOTO BY RUTH KATUSABE.

Ntoroko

A heavy storm has hit Ntoroko Landing Site, leaving more than 40 houses destroyed, including a school and three churches.

The storm, which also left hundreds of people homeless, has prompted the residents to petition the government to support them with relief aid.

The landing site chairperson, Mr Said Muhingi, said the residents are in urgent need of medicine, water, food and shelter. “More than 100 people have no shelter and food and some of the iron sheets were blown off to the lake,” Mr Muhingi Said.

The Ntoroko MP, Mr Martin Bahinduka Mugarra, who visited the area on Monday, also called on the government to come to the aid of the people. Mr Mugarra also found pupils of Ntoroko Community Nursery School studying under a tree after the classroom blocks were destroyed.

The school head teacher, Mr Jessica Bahati said teachers are forced to send the children home a bit early, fearing that the incident may happen again. “It is risky for the children to study under trees because we are near the shores of the lake. Since children like playing, I fear that they can be tempted to go for swimming,” Mr Bahati said.

During the rainy season, the district always experiences hailstorms that ravage the landing site and destroy many boats.