VANESSA A
Residents of Kagongi Parish in Rugarama Subcounty, Ntungamo District are calling for government intervention after a snowstorm devastated their crops.
The storm, which began with light rain on Tuesday evening, 30th September 2025, at around 4:00 pm, later escalated into heavy rains accompanied by a snowstorm and strong winds. It left several crops in an unrecognizable state and destroyed some houses, sparking fears of hunger and poverty, since farming is the main source of income for many families.
Speaking to our reporter, farmer Denis Diaz, a resident of Kakamba 1 Cell, expressed deep concern. He said although they had been praying for rain, what came was a disaster that destroyed their crops and left many families worried about what to feed their children in the coming days. He added that some families have even been displaced as their houses were destroyed.
Other residents, including Kato Charles of Kakamba 1 Cell and Demas Tumuhimbise of Kakamba 2 Cell, echoed the same concerns. They revealed that the storm wiped out crops such as beans, banana plantations, and cassava, leaving them in despair. They further noted that without their harvest, they will struggle to raise school fees for their children.
The residents also appealed for urgent government support, including relief food and assistance in rebuilding damaged infrastructure. They added that even coffee farmers had their plantations severely affected, leaving them with no hope of good yields.
Meanwhile, Mucunguzi Herbert Kiiza, the LC3 Chairperson of Rugarama Subcounty, confirmed the situation. He told our reporter that they are compiling a list of the affected families, which will be submitted to the district and later forwarded to the Office of the Prime Minister for support. He revealed that four villages in Kagongi Parish—Kakamba 1, Kakamba 2, Gabuura, and Ndoragyi Cells—were most affected.
