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Agago, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 1,000 farmers in Agago district have lost their acres of crops to floods, while hundreds are displaced.
Every year, Agago experiences two extreme weather patterns, prolonged drought, and excessive rains that cause flooding. This year, the district experienced a dry spell from May and June.
However, since August, there has been a lot of rain, which has affected crops’ property maturity or harvest, destroying houses and flooding pit latrines. Some households have been internally displaced after their houses collapsed and are currently residing in trading centres and schools.
The sub-counties affected include Ajali, Agengo, Parabongo, Arum, Adilang, Laperebong, Parabongo, Kuywee, Lira Kato, Lokole, Lapono, and Kalongo Town Council.
Alex Ojera, a resident of Aloi village said besides the famine that will result from the food shortage, he is afraid that waterborne diseases such as cholera might break out, because some latrines have broken down, while others are too weak to be used, forcing people to defecate in the open.
“The affected households should be immediately supported with foodstuffs and seeds for fast-maturing crops to save the sit the situation,” Ojera said. Lucy Achiro a resident of Masai Village, Lamit Parish, Kuywee Sub-county said she lost six gardens of various crops including maize, soybeans, and simsim. Achiro said some of her huts have also been weakened by the floods, and she fears using them.
“I have huts that are now destroyed by the floods and the children have nowhere to sleep. They are now sleeping in my neighbour’s house,” Achiro said.
Aldo Ocen the Local Council Chairperson of Atura village, Parabongo Sub County said the whole village is affected, with crops like simsim, cassava, sorghum, maize, and groundnuts completely wasted.
According to Leonard Ojok, the LCV Chairperson, 24 out of 26 Sub Counties are affected by the floods.
Ojok revealed that they are compiling the lists of the affected households to forward to the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees for further intervention. Charles Ojwee, the Agago District Agriculture Officer, said the current rains are heavier than ever.
However, Ojwee urged the farmers to continue planting short-term crops like vegetables, peanuts, and sunflowers so that they would benefit from the rain.
A report by Uganda National Meteorological Authority-UNMA, September-December 2024 seasonal rainfall outlook released last week, indicates that the ongoing rainfall is expected to continue around mid-September, and the cessation of the rainfall is expected around early to mid-November.
The weather authority warned that agriculture in areas with above-normal rainfall will experience water logging, flooding or leaching, especially in low-lying areas with poor drainage and compacted soils.
Abdulnoor Mbaagwa Muwonge Agago District Chief Administrative officer has written to Office Prime Minister to support the victims with tarpaulins and food.
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