More
than 15 families in Busia district are homeless followings heavy rains that
destroyed their houses and gardens on Friday last week. The rains blew off rooftops
of several houses, destroyed gardens, banana plantations and trees among
others.
The
most affected residents are residents of Bunyadet, Musohe, Magombe, Kateruhana
and Bujwanga villages in Buhehe Sub-county, Nandwa ‘A’, Bubala, Hasyule,
Nebolola villages in Lumino Sub-county. Others are Busedu, Bumwenge, Bukalikha in
Masafu sub-county and Muluko and Lumino villages in Lumino/Majanji town
council among others.
Some
of the victims have taken refuge in their neighbours’ homes while others are
staying with their relatives. Jimmy Ngolobe, the Busia District Environment Officer
attributes the disaster to deforestation by residents. He advised residents to
begin planting fast maturing trees to avoid such damage.
Wafula Mwambuha, the LC 1 chairperson Busedu
village, says four families in his area were most affected by the rain. They
are Hilda Nabwire 67 years, Juma Steven 74 years, Godfrey Sifuna 66 years and
Steven Mayende. Wafula appealed to the government to come to their rescue
since the victims are now sleeping in the cold.
Samia audio:
//Cue in: “Omundu
wohubiri…
Cue Out:…yituhonye huli bubi”//
Hilda Nabwire and Steven Mayende are some of the
victims in Busedu village. The duo say the rain that started around 3:00 am destroyed
their houses and properties. Nabwire says that she has currently taken shelter
at her neighbour’s home. Mayende, who has eleven family members, says that he has taken shelter at his son’s home.
Samia audio:
//Cue
in: “Esawa mwenda…
Cue
out:…huhole nihuba omwo,”//
Patrick Wabwire, the LC 1 chairman Bunyadeti
village, says that strong wind blew off his rooftop and is now residing at his
son’s home in the neighbouring village.
Samia audio:
//Cue
in: “Effula yakwa
muno…
Cue
out:…ebindu byabandu”//
Charles Wanyama Hasubeni, the LC 3 chairman
Buhehe sub-county, says that the sub-county lacks budget allocation for
disaster. He has appealed to the government to intervene in the situation.
English audio:
//Cue
in: “Especially the trees…
Cue
out:…they can benefit,”//
Mathew Taab, the LC 3 chairman Masafu sub-county,
says that he is stranded with the disaster victims who are approaching his
office for support.
Gabriel Mukisa
Freelancer
