12 pupils hospitalised as hailstorm devastates Hoima school

Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | At least 12 pupils from Ngemwa Parents School in Nzorobi Parish, Kabaale Sub-county, Hoima District, were hospitalized after a severe hailstorm accompanied by strong winds destroyed their school, leaving them critically injured.

The incident occurred on Friday at around 4 p.m. as the heavy downpour lasted over two hours, catching the pupils at school, where they had taken shelter in their classrooms. The most affected were pupils in P.3 and P.5 classes, as the entire school structure collapsed on them, injuring 12 children who were rushed to Kabaale Health Center III for treatment.

Nathan Ahebwa, the Nzorobi Parish councilor, recounted hearing the pupils screaming for help. Upon arrival, he found the collapsed structure and assisted in rescuing the children, who are now being treated for severe injuries. According to a nurse at the health center, who spoke to Uganda Radio Network (URN) on condition of anonymity, most of the admitted pupils are now out of danger.

The same storm also demolished over ten houses in the area, leaving many residents without shelter and sleeping in the cold. Additionally, the hailstorm devastated local farms, destroying crops like maize, tobacco, cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, rice, and banana plantations. Farmers fear that the widespread damage will lead to famine since most of their crops are destroyed.

Residents have appealed to the government for urgent relief, particularly food aid, as they anticipate food shortages. Hassan Kugonza, the Kabaale Sub-county LCIII Chairperson, expressed concern over the likelihood of famine due to crop destruction. He has alerted the district disaster management committee and initiated profiling of the affected families to forward their details to the Office of the Prime Minister for consideration.

Kugonza further urged the government to provide immediate relief to those affected, noting that some families are currently being accommodated by relatives or taking refuge in churches. One of the residents, Robert Suge, shared that two of his houses were demolished by the storm, highlighting the need for urgent assistance.