UGANDA, Kalangala | Real Muloodi News | A devastating rainstorm has left more than 300 residents homeless in Kalangala District after cyclonic winds destroyed homes and property. The storm, which struck on Tuesday 21st January 2025, hit the Lwazi-Bubeke landing site particularly hard, injuring one person and causing significant structural damage.
The winds razed 100 houses, while shops, restaurants, drinking joints, and lodges were severely damaged. The homeless residents are now seeking assistance from the government and humanitarian organisations.
“This time, it was very destructive because the moment it began, houses were shaking. You could hear roofs getting off and the houses eventually collapsed,” said Musa Musanjje, a resident of the Lwazi-Bubeke landing site.
Another resident, Dube Sinobayo, shared his ordeal.
“My house had three rooms, but they were all razed. I used to keep my chicken and goats in another room, which also got damaged, and I don’t know where the birds and animals are,” he said.
According to Mustafa Minjo, the secretary of Lwazi Village, many households lost food items, including maize flour and rice, which were stored in their homes and soaked by rainwater.
“It is a disaster which calls for the government’s swift intervention. We pray that the victims get the necessary assistance,” Minjo said.
Kalangala District Disaster Focal Person David Omongoti said a technical team from the district, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Uganda Red Cross Society had yet to arrive to assess the damage.
Area Member of Parliament Moses Kabuusu expressed frustration with the slow response from the Office of the Prime Minister.
“Each time we seek help, we are told the government cannot rebuild homes but can only provide food relief like maize flour and beans, which take up to six months to arrive. This time, we request that relief be delivered quickly so that our people can at least have food as we look for ways of constructing their houses,” Kabuusu said.
Kalangala District Chairperson Rajab Semakula criticised the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) for failing to provide timely weather alerts to islanders.
In response, Yusuf Nsubuga, a representative from UNMA, suggested that local leaders in Kalangala share their contact information to receive regular weather updates.
“We usually send out weather updates at 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. Let them share their telephone contacts with us, and we shall give that information to them daily,” Nsubuga said.
January is typically a dry season in Uganda. However, many districts, particularly in southwestern regions, are experiencing unusual rainfall, which has led to increased risks of disasters such as this one.
The homeless residents of Kalangala await assistance to rebuild their lives as the government and other agencies assess the extent of the damage caused by the storm.
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