NTUNGMO– Traders, motorists, and residents of Rubaare town council are mourning the destruction caused by a severe cyclonic rainy windstorm, which recently ravaged the area.
The storm uprooted buttress root trees and displaced temporary structures, particularly along the Kyempene-Kisizi road near Rubaare Health Centre IV.
Mr. Festo Tugume, a furniture dealer from Rubaare I cell in Kagango ward, reported losses exceeding UGX Shs. 5 million as his temporary shelter was destroyed.
“The storm wreaked havoc on my business, and I am struggling to recover from the losses,” Tugume expressed.
Boda boda rider Mr. Asaph Mwebembezi, operating at stage nine along the same road, noted that their shade and a street light funded by their contributions were also impacted.
“The stage, being close to Rubaare Health Centre IV, suffers from poor lighting due to the congested buttress tree species, which also attract criminals,” Mwebembezi said. He recounted a recent incident where a male body was found dumped nearby, raising concerns about safety.
Mwebembezi and his colleagues are pleading for assistance, urging authorities to install street lights in the area, which they feel is necessary for their security.
Electronics shop owner Mr. Emmanuel Natuha, known as Ema 2, echoed these sentiments. “If the authorities ignore these pressing issues, the community will continue to suffer,” he warned. He emphasized the need to cut down the thick trees along the roads to prevent further tragedies and improve safety with proper lighting.
Town Clerk Mr. Emmanuel Byamukama acknowledged the disaster, stating that efforts are underway to clear trees that have fallen and obstructed roadways and that a plan will be developed for the remaining trees.
The community hopes that their calls for intervention will lead to safer conditions as they work to recover from this devastating event.
