The violent winds, which struck late blew off rooftops and destroyed property, forcing many residents to seek temporary shelter with neighbors.
According to preliminary reports, more than 20 houses had their rooftops ripped off, while others sustained structural cracks due to the force of the storm.
Gardens were also flattened, raising fears of food shortages in the coming weeks.
Yusuf Masereka, the Sub-county Chief of Karambi, described the situation as dire and called for urgent support to help the affected households rebuild.
“This is not the first time Karambi has experienced such destruction. We are calling on government and well-wishers to come to the aid of the families that have lost their homes,” Masereka said.
The Kasese District Disaster Committee Chairperson, Mustafa Kikusa, also expressed concern over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the area.
He attributed the recurrent storms to the changing climate, warning that communities must remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures such as planting trees and reinforcing their houses.
“We have observed that Karambi and other parts of Kasese are becoming more prone to disasters linked to climate change. We appeal to residents to stay alert, and to leaders at all levels to prioritize disaster preparedness,” Kikusa said.
The storm is the latest in a series of weather-related disasters that have hit Kasese district in recent years, including floods and landslides that have displaced thousands of people and destroyed infrastructure.
As affected families begin the painful process of picking up the pieces, local leaders are urging both government and humanitarian agencies to provide immediate relief in the form of building materials, food supplies, and psychosocial support.
For now, many residents remain uncertain about where they will sleep tonight, with the threat of more rains still looming over the Rwenzori region.