By Kezekiah Mbogo Jr
Heavy unusual rains accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorm, tore off roof tops and uprooted heavy trees while washing away several gardens of crops. That wasn’t all. It also left residents within Budaka Town Council in Budaka district in a state of homelessness which they might require government relief intervention to overcome.The afternoon rains swept through villages of Nanyago, Namengo and Nawojja in Namengo ward within Budaka Town Council and left several houses and a Technical College de-roofed.
The rains, according to the area LC1 chairperson for Nanyago village John Mujasi the rains characterized with hailstorm and gusty winds started at 2.30pm and lasted for almost an hour leaving an indelible mark of destruction.“The magnitude of damage caused by the storm was too big to the extent that many families have nowhere to stay because at least every homestead has been affected.This is a real test for the district and government needs to respond urgently to the situation,” he said. “Preliminary assessment indicate that more than 70 homesteads have been affected.
The challenge at the moment is how to support the affected families because all their household belongings, including foodstuffs, was destroyed by the falling debris.These families are pondering their next move after the disastrous incidence that befell their area.” Abdul Karim, the district councilor representing Budaka Town Council said that shocking it was the very damaging down pour has always come like that for Budaka at the start of the rainy season. Several acres of cassava, maize and beans were completely destroyed by the heavy rains and permanent structures [houses] including St Anthony Technical College roof tops blown off.“I have visited the affected areas and talked to them. The Sub County and district leadership are doing everything possible to alert the district disaster committee and then inform the office of the disaster management office in the Prime Minister’s office to render any possible assistance,” Karim said.“Budaka district is always disadvantaged. In emergencies like this tragedy, it has never been supported by the Ministry of disaster preparedness despite forwarding a comprehensive report on ground.This time we [district] call upon the Ministry to support these people.” He added that “There is a possibility of famine out break and yet the Sub County is prone to such disasters since all the reserved food stuffs were soaked in water.” The Budaka Town Council LC3 Chairman Rogers Mukose said they are collaborating with the LCs in carrying out a comprehensive assessment in order to establish the magnitude of the disaster and eventually come up with a detailed report which shall be presented to the district disaster management committee for action. But as of now, he said, ”we are compiling a list of families that were affected by the storm to see how best they can be helped by the district, the OPM and Red Cross.The situation on ground isn’t so good and needs urgent attention as families have spent nights in cold.” Some blame such incidents of violent rains on massive cutting of trees that is common in Budaka.
THE VICTIMS:
65 year old John Wazibwoine, one of the affected persons, said that his 10 children and three wives survived death after his house was brought down by the storm. “It was by God’s mercy that we managed to survive because nobody imagined I and my family survived compared to magnitude of destruction but we escaped unhurt,” he narrated.The principal of St Anthony Technical College Ceprian Mateke said the storm blew off the workshop building, garage and kitchen and carpentry lecture room and in that process one vehicle was badly damaged. He called for urgent government intervention. Another Victim Anthony Mugendera had his house and other property destroyed. His 2 children were also injured and remain admitted at Budaka Health Centre IV. Families urgently need shelter. Budaka LC5 Chairman Sam Mulomi said they are overwhelmed and need help from Kampala. His views were shared by RDC Martin Orochi. For comments, call, text or Whatasapp us on 0703164755.
