MICHAEL N
A violent snowstorm accompanied by powerful winds on Tuesday afternoon has left a trail of destruction across Rukanga Parish, Nyabihoko Subcounty in Ntungamo District, wiping out crops and damaging property. The disaster has sparked fears of hunger and deepened poverty among affected residents.
The storm, which started as light rain around 2:00 p.m., quickly escalated into a four-hour downpour of hail and fierce winds. Fields of beans, bananas, coffee seedlings, and cassava were flattened, while homes, livestock shelters, and community structures—including Rwesinga Primary School and Rwensinga Community Mosque—suffered heavy damage.
Farmer Ciema Namayanja described the devastation as heartbreaking, noting that her family’s coffee and banana plantations were completely destroyed, leaving her children “watching helplessly.” Area councillor Sebayinda Kassimu estimated that more than 500 residents were directly affected, calling it an abrupt loss of livelihoods “in just a few hours.”
Coffee seedling farmers were among the hardest hit. Hajji Abas Iga, who runs a large seedling project, projected his losses at more than UGX 100 million (about USD 26,000). He described it as the most destructive storm he has witnessed in 60 years.
The worst-hit villages—Rwensinga, Kabarungi, Central Cell, and Nyakatojo Cell—are now appealing for urgent government support, including food aid, rehabilitation of gardens, and rebuilding of damaged infrastructure. “Without emergency assistance, children may be forced out of school due to lack of food and income,” warned resident Kebinyoobwa Amina.
Rwensinga Community Muslim Council Secretary, Muhammad Lwota, confirmed that the local mosque was severely damaged and that community plantations of beans, bananas, and cassava were completely wiped out.
Local authorities have begun assessing the scale of the destruction as residents attempt to salvage what little remains. Many remain uncertain about how they will recover from what has been described as one of the most devastating storms in the area’s recent history.
