Heavy Rains Devastate Lwengo, Leaving Hundreds Homeless

The destruction spanned several villages, including Nakiyaga A & B, Nsonja, Kijooga, and Nakyenyi A & B. Local leaders reported that over 30 houses were completely destroyed, with Nakiyaga A alone losing more than 15 homes.

Hundreds of residents in Lwengo Rural Sub-County are grappling with the aftermath of a violent storm that left destruction in its wake.

The heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, ravaged homes, crops, and property, displacing many and leaving them without shelter or food.

The storm primarily affected eight villages in Nakyenyi Parish, triggering widespread concerns about hunger and economic hardship.

The destruction spanned several villages, including Nakiyaga A & B, Nsonja, Kijooga, and Nakyenyi A & B. Local leaders reported that over 30 houses were completely destroyed, with Nakiyaga A alone losing more than 15 homes.

In addition to the damage to homes, vast acres of farmland were flattened, wiping out critical crops such as coffee, bananas, and passion fruits.

Over 200 residents have been directly impacted, with many now in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

One of the victims, Edith Nakyanzi, an elderly resident of Nakiyaga A, shared her harrowing experience. She and her grandchild narrowly escaped when their house collapsed.

"We were inside the house when the wind became too strong, and before we knew it, the roof was gone. We are lucky to be alive, but we have lost everything," she recalled, tears welling in her eyes.

The devastation has left many families stranded, without shelter and with little means to rebuild. Village chairperson of Nakiyaga A, Kabanda Denis, expressed his concern for the affected residents.

"Many families are sleeping in the cold after losing their homes. We appeal to the government and well-wishers to come to our aid before the situation worsens," he pleaded.

The crisis has escalated fears of social unrest. Nakyenyi Parish Chairperson Yasin Kateregga and Parish Councillor Ben Lubega raised alarms that, without urgent intervention, residents might resort to desperate measures.

"People have lost their homes and livelihoods. If help does not come soon, we may face a security crisis because some might turn to theft out of desperation," Salongo warned.

The storm's impact has also aggravated the financial struggles of many residents, particularly those who had taken loans under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Lwengo Rural Sub-County Chairperson Lawrence Kizitto explained that many residents had used their PDM funds for farming, but with their crops now destroyed, they may face difficulty repaying the loans.

This could have long-term implications for the success of future government programs aimed at alleviating poverty in the region.

In response to the disaster, Lwengo's Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Immy Kateera, visited the affected areas and assured residents that the Office of the Prime Minister had been informed.

However, she emphasized the need for long-term solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

"We need to address the issue of deforestation and poor environmental practices. If we don’t take action, such disasters will continue to happen," Kateera warned, pointing to the link between environmental degradation and increased vulnerability to natural disasters.

The residents of Lwengo now await urgent government intervention to provide shelter, food, and financial support to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

The heavy rains have underscored the need for improved disaster preparedness and sustainable environmental practices to protect vulnerable communities.