A powerful hailstorm, accompanied by severe winds, has destroyed villages of Ntooke, Bwetyaba, Gaaza, and Kafugge in Bukoloto Parish, Kayunga Sub-county.
The storm, which occurred on November 8 affected 360 households, damaging homes, crops, and livestock and leaving residents facing an uncertain economic future.
Five people sustained injuries, adding to the urgency of aid.
The Uganda Red Cross Society said it quickly responded, deploying its Action Teams to assist with search and rescue operations and conduct evacuations. “Our teams moved swiftly to support the affected families, and we remain committed to helping them through this difficult time,” a Red Cross spokesperson said.
The Red Cross is also working closely with the Kayunga District Disaster Management Committee to assess the damage and identify the most urgent needs.
In identifying the households most in need, the Red Cross is placing special focus on the elderly, children, people with special needs, lactating mothers, and single- and child-headed households. “Our priority is always to reach the most vulnerable first,” the spokesperson added. In addition to material aid, the Red Cross is providing psychosocial support to help families process the emotional toll of the disaster.
Tomorrow, November 12, the Red Cross and the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda (OPMUganda) will deliver an initial batch of relief supplies to 85 of the hardest-hit households. This relief is essential for helping families recover, though many may need sustained support to rebuild their lives.
The recent disaster in Kayunga is part of a troubling trend of extreme weather events in Uganda. Since the beginning of 2024, Uganda has experienced an increasing number of disasters linked to heavy rains. According to the Office of the Prime Minister, severe flooding and landslides affected over 4,500 households in eastern Uganda between April and June 2024. In addition, heavy rains in August displaced more than 1,000 families in the Rwenzori region, damaging infrastructure and leaving several communities in need of aid.
As Uganda faces the effects of climate change, aid organizations warn that such weather-related disasters are likely to become more frequent. “The resilience of communities is being tested,” noted the Red Cross spokesperson. “We are committed to being there to support these communities whenever disaster strikes, but long-term solutions are needed to prepare for and mitigate the impact of climate-related challenges.”
