By Henry Okello
TORORO
Residents of Nyakesi E3 zone and Iyokango village in Nyangole Sub-county are appealing for urgent government intervention after a three-hour storm of heavy rain, hail and strong winds destroyed crops and property last night.
The downpour began at 7:00 pm on Thursday, 14th May, 2026 and lasted until about 10:00 pm, flattening gardens of maize, groundnuts, cassava, matooke, soya beans, millet and sorghum across the two villages.
Farmers say the scale of destruction has left many worried about food shortages in the coming months.
In Iyokango, several households lost both crops and poultry to the hailstorm, with families describing the damage as severe.
One farmer in Nyakesi E3, Andrew Odongo, said his entire avocado plantation, grown using Parish Development Model funds, was destroyed.
He is now seeking assurance from authorities that he will not face arrest if he is unable to repay the loan after the loss.
Other residents in Nyakesi E3, including Evaline Nyadoi, Teddy Akisa and Zaituni Gimbo, reported losing all their food crops and said they have nothing left to eat.
Many expressed concern that without immediate intervention, families will face hunger.
Wilson Nyakol, the LC1 Chairperson of Iyokango village, said his family sheltered inside an old building during the storm, holding their children for safety as the winds intensified.
Peter Alex Kamunyi, the Nyakesi E3 zone chairperson, said a storm of similar intensity had not been witnessed in the area for about 70 years.
He added that residents were heard shouting through the night as the rain destroyed property and crops, and appealed to government and humanitarian agencies to intervene quickly.
Local leaders are urging the district and line ministries to assess the damage and provide relief food, seeds and financial support to affected households to avert a looming food crisis.
