Storm leaves 10 dead, hundreds homeless
A section of Butiaba Health Centre III that was destroyed by a storm. Photo by Francis Mugerwa
Buliisa. A storm has hit Buliisa District leaving at least 10 people dead and hundreds homeless.
According to eye witnesses, the storm followed a heavy down pour that started at about 1am, ravaging the area up to the wee hours of Tuesday.
“We have so far confirmed 10 people dead around Walukuba Landing Site,” the Buliisa District police commander, Mr John Rutagira, told Daily Monitor yesterday.
According to police, the storm destroyed a number of houses in Butiaba and Walukuba landing sites and several fishermen are feared to have died.
The affected settlements are located in the Albertine rift valley area.
“We are verifying reports that some boats capsised. We are yet to establish their identities,” Mr Rutagira said.
Among the destroyed properties is Butiaba Primary School whose roof was blown off and houses of the Rev Richard Opio, of Butiaba Church of Uganda, and Mr Godfrey Waiswa, a catechist at Butiaba Catholic Church in Piida B village, Butiaba sub-county whose roofs were also blown off.
Mr Godfrey Opio, a health educator in Butiaba Sub-county, said: “Iron sheets at the outpatient department, maternity ward and a community hall [Butiaba Health Centre III] were also destroyed.”
A sombre mood is reported at various landing sites as anxious residents wait to hear about the fate of their relatives who were fishing in Lake Albert waters by the time the storm hit the area.
