At least 30 lives have been lost and hundreds of families left with no food stuffs, livestock and homes in Busoga North after six hours of heavy rainstorm that ravaged several villages on Tuesday early morning.
In Buyende district, Kidera Sub County alone lost at least 14 lives, according to Budiope West legislator, Robert Musoke, and more that twenty others were still missing by 8:00am when this report was filed.
A heavy storm has struck kidera Sub County in my constituency of Budiope West causing deaths and loss of property. 14 bodies have been so far retrieved from swamps and house wreckage. Around 20 are missing and feared dead.
People have been left homeless and with no food and clothes. Any assistance please is needed immediately,” said the MP.
Emergency teams from Kamuli are on the ground retrieving dead bodies and evacuating the injured persons to Kamuli general hospital to have their lives saved.
Hon Minister of state for Karamoja, Moses Kizige has put the death toll at 34.
The minister who also is the area member of parliament for Bugabula North (Kamuli) said his team had counted 6 dead bodies in his constituency alone and 28 in the neighboring Buyende district.
“Bugabula County North Constituency and Kidera Sub-county in Buyende District have been hit by a storm. So far 6 have been confirmed dead in my constituency, and 28 in Kidera Sub-county, Budiope West. It is tragic,” Kizige posted on social media.
Buyende district LC chairman, Robert Ziribasanga said: “Many families are being evacuated to shelters in local schools. All places have been flooded which means people are even more vulnerable.”
At least 5,000 families have been affected according to local authorities. Rivers and streams have swelled, putting every life at risk.
“We need distribution of food, clothing and toiletries to more than 500 people evacuated to different schools, mosques and churches,” Ziribasanga said.
Rain is continuing to fall in the region and flooding is expected to spread further south where trees and swamps have been destroyed for sugarcane growing.
