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.
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.
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However, Ojwee urged the farmers to continue planting
short-term crops like vegetables, peanuts, and sunflowers so that they would
benefit from the rain.
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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.
