Storm injures 20, destroys gardens

Disaster. Scores left homeless as gardens and houses are all brought to the ground following a four-hour downpour.

At least 20 people have been injured and scores left homeless after a storm ravaged several villages in Bugiri District, destroying houses and crops.

Strong winds brought down roofs of at least 20 homes in Butyabule Village in Nabukalu Sub-county on Friday, destroying gardens of maize, cassava, groundnuts and bananas in the process.

The storm also destroyed Buzika, Kasita and Bugobi villages during the afternoon downpour that lasted close to four hours.
Some of the injured were identified as Ms Perusi Nakilanda and her daughter Hellen Kagoya, a 15-year-old pupil of Nabukalu Primary School and Ms Christine Kawendeke.

Others are Ms Jude Maganda, Ms Jennifer Nabirye, Ms Miria Nabirye and Mr Abbey Dhabalamu.

Appeal to government
They were taken to Bugiri Hospital.
Kagoya, told the Daily Monitor from her hospital bed that strong winds had brought down the roof of the house in which they were sheltering shortly after she had returned home from school.

The local council chairperson for Butyabule Village, Mr Paul Etyang, called on the government to come to the aid of the affected families.

“Many people have been displaced and have nothing to eat,” Mr Etyang said.

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