Rains Devastate Gardens, Schools in Mbarara

A heavy downpour has devastated several houses and schools in Rutooma –Bwizibwera Town Council, Mbarara District.   The rains that started at around 2:00 p.m., and dragged on for the entire Tuesday afternoon, also destroyed acres of banana plantations, cassava and beans gardens, according to the residents.  

Trails of destruction are still visible in the areas of Rwengoma, Rutooma, Mabira, Rwebishekye, Rwanyamahembe, Ihanika, Kacerere and parts of Bukiro. Julius Tugumisirize an area resident says that the downpour was dominated by heavy winds which blew off part of the roof of Rutooma Integrated Primary School. 

Sanyu Mutungi, one of the affected residents says that maize, cassava and bean gardens were washed away by running water. Similarly, another resident Patrick Tumuhimbise fears that the area may face a food shortage as a result of devastation. 

//Cue in; “ereizooba shaha nka….

Cue out……..rwanyamahembe twahwaho.//  

Patrick Kakuru, the LC III chairperson for Rutooma-Bwizibwera Town Council says that the devastation is a repeat of a heavy downpour that left the area in ruins, around the same time last year.  

//Cue in; “twagarukwaho, omwaka ogwa…

Cue out…..embibo niyo nkuru.”// 

Kakuru observes a need for a policy for the restoration of ecosystems across the country. He says that all catchment areas have been destroyed exposing communities to harsh weather conditions, some of which can be avoided.

Mbarara District Chairperson John Bosco Bamuturaki says that they have instructed officers in the affected sub-counties to assess the magnitude of the damage and come up with a report for the next course of action.