RUBIRIZI, UGANDA – More than 30 families in Rubirizi District are counting their losses after a heavy downpour devastated their gardens. The affected villages include Nyamisekye and Mugogo 3 in Ryeru Subcounty.
Madam Turyahikayo Jane noted that the rainstorm washed away cassava, matooke, vegetables, beans, and even latrines, leaving the area with limited income sources and exposing families to prolonged hunger and poverty. She added that pressure and stress have increased because of the disaster, putting households at risk and making it hard to transport produce due to poor roads.
Amos Tumwebaze, an affected resident, described the situation as “very bad.” With gardens and banana plantations destroyed, families have nothing to cook and are crying out for help from leaders and the government. He warned that without intervention, food insecurity will worsen, as most households depend on banana crops for school fees and daily survival. He mentioned that some families took loans for a project that was washed away, leaving them unable to pay fees.
Mr. Muramuzi Anatori, LC1 Chairperson of Nyamisekye Village, confirmed the disaster and appealed for urgent relief. He emphasized the need for stronger disaster-response mechanisms, noting this is the third such incident with no government assistance. He urged residents to adopt climate-smart farming and tree-planting to protect the environment and mitigate future risks.
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Story By: Tugume Muzafaru
