Over 500 households in Bunyangabu District are at risk of food insecurity after a heavy thunderstorm destroyed crops and killed livestock in Buheesi Sub-County.
The affected areas include Lyembeire, Kyamiyaga and Kelezia Zone in Kyamiyaga Parish.
The storm struck at around 6 p.m. on Saturday, destroying banana plantations, cassava, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes, as well as killing goats and pigs.
Fida Fred, the LC1 Chairperson of Lyambeire Village, together with Buheesi Sub-County LC3 Chairperson Muhimbo Paul, says the disaster could leave many families facing hunger because most of the affected crops had only been planted a few weeks ago.
The leaders have appealed to Bunyangabu County Member of Parliament Victor Kalenzi, District Woman Member of Parliament Sarah Kabarokole and other leaders to lobby for relief support from the government for the affected families.
Bunyangabu District LCV Chairperson Peter Musinguzi has asked the affected families to remain calm, saying district agricultural officials will assess the damage on a household-by-household basis.
He says the assessment will document the affected crops and animals to help the district seek possible support and compensation for the victims.
Bunyangabu County MP Victor Kalenzi has also pledged to raise the matter on the floor of Parliament and seek government intervention for the affected families.
Kalenzi has encouraged residents to plant more trees, saying trees can help reduce the impact of some natural disasters.
He observed that crops planted near trees appeared to have suffered less damage.
Kalenzi has also urged farmers to replant crops such as beans and cassava, saying the planting season is still favourable.
