By Eye Media Reporter | July 4, 2026

APAC – Residents of the disaster-prone sub-counties of Ibuje, Akokoro and Apoi in Apac District are appealing for government support after years of floods, hailstorms and destructive winds left hundreds of families homeless, destroyed livelihoods and disrupted education.

The affected communities, located along the shores of Lake Kwania and the River Nile, say they have repeatedly provided their details to authorities following the disasters but are yet to receive the assistance they expected.

Their ordeal dates back to 2018 when flash floods caused by rising water levels in Lake Kwania and the River Nile displaced an estimated 230 households in Apac District. Many of the affected families say they are still struggling to rebuild their lives.

Natural disasters have continued to strike the area over the years.

In 2023, a strong windstorm swept through Kungu Parish in Akokoro Sub-county, killing a 63-year-old man who had taken shelter under a tree and leaving 19 households homeless after destroying their houses.

In July 2024, another powerful windstorm accompanied by hail destroyed crops and damaged several homes. Later that year, in October, flash floods from the River Nile submerged homes in Amunuyika Village and flooded Igoti Primary School, forcing the temporary closure of the school.

The latest disaster occurred on March 24, 2026, when strong winds ripped off rooftops in Aganga Parish, Ibuje Sub-county, affecting 129 households and leaving 34 families homeless. The storm also destroyed classroom blocks at Igoti Primary School and claimed the life of two-year-old Mercy Akello after the house she was sleeping in collapsed.

Although the school resumed classes four days later, pupils are now studying under tree shades and temporary makeshift structures due to the destruction.

Headteacher Osar Okello appealed to the government to urgently finance the rehabilitation of the school.

“In October 2024, this school was flooded after a heavy downpour, interrupting studies for almost a week. Three weeks ago, strong winds again blew off the roofs of all the school buildings and destroyed teaching materials. We appeal to the government to support the full renovation of the school,” he said.

Residents say the repeated disasters have pushed many families into deeper poverty.

Tom Okello, the LC I Chairperson of Igoti Village, said the community has endured one calamity after another with little support.

“Since 2020, we have suffered different kinds of disasters. Floods destroyed homes, hailstorms ruined our crops and this year strong winds have brought down many houses. Our people need government intervention,” he said.

Immaculate Aceng, a resident of Runguza Village, said the March windstorm destroyed all the houses at her family home, injured her sick grandmother and washed away food supplies together with her academic documents.

Elsewhere in Apoi Sub-county, Joel Aweri said he has been unable to return to his land since it was submerged by floodwaters in 2018.

“My land remains flooded up to today. I now rent land where I live and cultivate because I have nowhere else to go,” he said.

Local leaders have appealed for emergency support to help affected families rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

Ibuje Sub-county LC III Chairperson Alex Ogota called on the government to provide each affected household with iron sheets, cement, financial assistance and seeds.

“We request government to support each household with 20 iron sheets, 20 bags of cement, Shs1 million and seeds so that families can rebuild their homes and restart farming,” he said.

Uganda Red Cross Society Apac Area Manager Sam Mugisha said the organisation has consistently collected data on affected households and submitted it to the government but lacks the resources to provide relief.

He urged leaders to continue following up the matter with the relevant government agencies.

“We have collected and submitted data on the affected people several times. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to support them because of limited funding. Continued follow-up is important so that the affected communities receive assistance,” Mugisha said.

Apac District Woman Member of Parliament Betty Awor Engola said she has already raised the matter before Parliament and written to the Office of the Prime Minister.

“I presented the matter on the floor of Parliament and also wrote to the Office of the Prime Minister. I will continue following it up so that my people receive the support they deserve, just as victims in other parts of the country have been assisted,” she said.

As communities continue rebuilding after years of repeated disasters, residents remain hopeful that government intervention will help restore homes, schools and livelihoods while strengthening preparedness against future calamities.