HOIMA! Hailstorm Leaves 12 Children injured in a Community School

Homia, Uganda: In Hoima District, a severe hailstorm has left 12 children from Ngemwa Parents Primary School in Nzorobi parish hospitalized. The storm, which occurred on Friday evening, brought strong winds that caused significant damage to the school buildings, leading to serious injuries among the students.

The storm lasted for over two hours, during which the students sought shelter in various classrooms.

 According to report, the most affected were those in Primary 3 and Primary 5, as the entire school structure ultimately collapsed. 

Nathan Aheebwa, the Nzorobi Parish councilor, reported hearing the students' cries for help and rushed to the scene, only to find that the school had collapsed on them. They were swiftly taken to Kabaale Health Center III for medical attention, where they are currently being treated for their injuries.

Aheebwa also mentioned that the heavy rainfall resulted in the destruction of more than ten homes in the area, leaving many families without shelter. A nurse at Kabaale Health Center III, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that most of the injured students are responding positively to treatment and are no longer in critical condition.

Furthermore, the hailstorm and heavy rain have caused substantial losses for local farmers, devastating crops such as maize, tobacco, cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, rice, and banana plantations. Farmers are worried that the extent of the damage could lead to food shortages and are urging the Prime Minister's office to provide emergency food assistance to avert starvation.

Hassan Kugonza, the LCIII Chairperson of Kabaale sub-county, emphasized the havoc wreaked by the hailstorm, warning that the destruction of crops may lead to famine. He confirmed that his office has already alerted the district disaster management committee to take immediate action.

 Ngemwa Parents Primary Schoola is a community school with over 200 enrollment of pupils.