Hailstorm ravages Hoima villages, destroys crops worth shs4 billion
Farmers reported widespread destruction of key crops such as tobacco, beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, simsim, cocoa, coffee, maize, groundnuts, and cassava. Over 200 farmers are said to have lost both crops and livestock, further deepening the impact on livelihoods in the predominantly agricultural community.
By George Niyonzima
More than 500 hectares of crops have been destroyed following a powerful hailstorm that struck two parishes in Kisukuma Sub-County, Hoima District, leaving hundreds of farmers counting heavy losses.
The storm, which hit on Monday, affected eight villages across Haibale and Bukona parishes in Kigorobya County. The hardest-hit areas include Kyakasaato, Bukona, Kyakayaya, Kikonkona, and Haibale villages.
Farmers reported widespread destruction of key crops such as tobacco, beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, simsim, cocoa, coffee, maize, groundnuts, and cassava. Over 200 farmers are said to have lost both crops and livestock, further deepening the impact on livelihoods in the predominantly agricultural community.
In addition to crop losses, several homes were damaged, and a church belonging to the Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) was destroyed.
Asaba Tibita, a farmer from Kiseku Village, said his tobacco plantation was wiped out by the hailstorm despite having invested heavily using a Shs3 million bank loan.
“I don’t know how I will repay the loan because all my crops, including beans, cassava, cocoa, coffee, and maize, have been destroyed,” Tibita said.
Grace Nyangoma, a resident of Haibale I Village, also recounted the devastation, noting that her house was damaged while her four-acre garden of beans and groundnuts was completely destroyed.
“I now have nothing to depend on,” she said.
Augustine Kalibagwa, the LC1 Chairperson of Haibale II Village, is among the affected residents. He reported damage to his house and the destruction of his cocoa plantation.
Local leaders have appealed to the Office of the Prime Minister for urgent relief support, citing the scale of destruction.
Godfrey Bainomugisa, the LC3 Chairperson of Kisukuma Sub-County, estimated the total losses at approximately Shs4 billion. He urged the central government to intervene swiftly, noting that the majority of residents rely on agriculture as their primary source of income.
“This disaster has left many families vulnerable. Immediate support is needed to help them recover and resume production,” Bainomugisa said.
