Hailstorm leaves trails of destruction in Gulu

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hailstorm has destroyed more than 10,000 acres of crops and several houses in Gulu district.

The destruction followed the heavy downpour on Wednesday accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms.

The most affected are Lukome, Lukodi, Lagot Icol, Panyikworo, Nen Ki Tyena, Laco Anga and Ayom Pa Ranga villages in Bungatira sub county and parts of Owor sub county.

It destroyed several acres of cassava, green peas, beans, maize, soya beans, sweet potatoes, sim-sim and ground nut gardens, which were due for harvest in the next few weeks.

David Acire, the Lukodi village LC I chairperson told URN on Thursday morning that preliminary findings indicate that the rain destroyed hundreds of acres of crop gardens belonging to 516 households and several houses.

Acire disclosed that he also lost four acres of beans, maize, soya beans and sweet potatoes to the destructive rain.  He appealed to the government and well-wishers to provide the farmers with food relief and seeds because of the looming famine.

Patrick Anywar, a farmer in Lagot Icol village in Bungatira sub county disclosed that he lost six acres of beans, cassava and maize in the evening rains

Samuel Acire, who lost his five acres of beans, maize and cassava to the hailstorms is equally requesting for seeds from the government for the second planting season and food for his five-member household.

Bernard Abo, another farmer in Lukome Parish is also pleading with the government to come to his rescue by providing seeds, food and farm implements after losing three acres of maize, beans and green peas to the hailstorms.

Patrick Oola, the LC 2 chairperson of Punena Parish in Lukodi sub-county described the situation in his area as “gloomy”. Stephen Odong Latek, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner said that he is already aware of the destruction, adding that a team from the commercial department is on the ground to assess the damage before they inform the Office of the Prime Minister for possible assistance.

This is the second time heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms and strong winds are destroying crop gardens in the areas within a space of one week.

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URN