Rice farmers count losses as rain wreaks havoc in Busia

Farmers and residents of Busitema and Buyanga Sub Counties in Busia District are counting losses after heavy rains swept their houses and crops on Friday.

In Ndaiga and Namayenje villages in Chawo Parish, Buyanga Sub County, over 70 acres of rice were submerged after River Malaba burst its banks.

Mr Sadala Wegulo, a farmer in the area said: "I had invested over Shs50m in planting rice and expected about Shs200m after harvesting, but all has gone to waste because of the floods."

Ms Irene Akware, also a farmer in Namayenje village, said all her maize and beans had been swept away by the floods.

"We are fearing that in the next few months, we shall have no food because all our crops have been destroyed," she said.

Mr Bernard Okameri, the Busitema LC3 chairperson, said the floods have affected at least four parishes leaving more than 200 families homeless.

Mr Gesa Umaru, who had been employed in the rice fields with other 20 youths to scare away the birds, said they are lucky to have survived drowning.

"The volume of water suddenly increased and we had to swim to the banks to escape the floods," he said adding that they automatically lost their jobs after the rice was swept away.

In Buyanga Sub County, a downpour characterised by hailstones and strong winds left crops and houses destroyed.

But as farmers count losses, fishermen along River Malaba said the floods provided an opportunity for them to catch more fish and make quick money.

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