Namisindwa hit by disaster,leaving property and over 300 residents displaced

By Weswa Ronnie

Over 300 residents in different sub-counties in Namisindwa District are without shelter, and property has also been destroyed after heavy rain combined with strong winds that lasted for three hours on Thursday evening..

Emma Bwayo, the Namisindwa District LCV Chairperson, says strong winds destroyed many houses and crops across the district, particularly in sub-counties such as Magale, Namabya, Buwambwa, and Bumityero, as well as Namisindwa Town Council, including areas like Buwasiba.

He said the government has already warned residents to remain vigilant, and given that we live in landslide-prone areas, our priority must be to protect lives and prevent further loss of property.

"We call upon the government to respond urgently and provide assistance to the affected communities. Unfortunately, authorities are yet to respond to our initial report, which is deeply concerning and demoralizing for the affected residents," Bwayo said.

Ismai Walubuka, LC3 Chairperson of Magale, says that in his sub-county about 30 houses were destroyed. He urged district leaders under disaster management to take this matter to the Ministry of Disaster, since the sub-county cannot manage to support these people.

He has asked LC1 chairpersons to compile a list of affected residents in their villages and submit it to the district for response.

Bosco Washable, Secretary for Production, Works and Natural Resources, who also doubles as Magale Sub-county District Councillor, said that as district leaders they are going to sit and look for ways of writing a report to the Ministry of Disaster for response.

He said that the people of Namisindwa are likely to face hunger in the future since all their crops have been destroyed.

Dr. Sarah Khanakwa, former Namisindwa Woman Member of Parliament contestant, expressed her sympathy with the affected people.

"I urge all people of Namisindwa to embrace the planting of trees at their homes so that they can break some of the wind in the future and avoid such incidents," she said.

She appealed to the Chief Administrative Officer, who is the chairperson of the District Disaster Committee, to expedite the process of writing to the Ministry of Disaster so that affected people can be supported.