Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Kiziba Sub-County, Rakai District, leaving several people dead, homes destroyed, and extensive damage to farms and livestock.
Local leaders are appealing for immediate assistance from the government, humanitarian agencies, and well-wishers to support affected families.
Ntegyerize Simplisio, the LC5 Councillor for Kiziba Sub-County, confirmed the destruction in a statement released Wednesday evening.
“People have lost their lives, their houses, their animals, and their crops, including cassava, bananas, sugarcane, coffee, vanilla, tomatoes, and beans,” he said.
According to Ntegyerize, the downpour has displaced hundreds of residents, many of whom are spending nights in the cold after their homes were swept away or rendered unsafe.
He described the situation as dire and urged all stakeholders to respond quickly.
“As a leader, I extend this information to everyone — non-governmental organizations, well-wishers, and the government — to help the most affected people and communities with aid that can help them survive this difficult situation,” Ntegyerize said.
“These are God’s creatures who have spent sleepless nights after losing everything.”
The councillor’s plea underscores the growing impact of extreme weather events in Rakai District, a region already vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. Local farmers warned that the destruction of key cash crops like coffee, bananas, and vanilla will have lasting effects on household incomes and food security.
Community leaders are mobilizing local resources to provide temporary shelter and food for the displaced while awaiting broader assistance.
However, they cautioned that continued rains could worsen the crisis if drainage systems and roads remain in poor condition.
The Uganda National Meteorological Authority recently warned that several parts of the country, including southern districts like Rakai, are expected to experience above-normal rainfall through October, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.
Residents of Kiziba are pleading for urgent relief, including food, shelter materials, and medical assistance, as they struggle to recover from what Ntegyerize described as “one of the toughest moments the community has faced in years.”
