Hailstorm ravages over 350 gardens in Oyam district, leaving residents stranded

16 July 2025, 8:32 am

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Residents of Te-Itek, Rwot Olara, Adag-Amone, Lela Ateng ,Alao and Adoga-Omona-Lony in Obangangeo parish, Acaba subcounty, along with five other villages in Orupo parish, Iceme subcounty—with Awangi B village being the most affected—are counting devastating losses after a violent hailstorm struck on the night of Monday, 14 July 2025.

The storm tore through more than ten villages in Oyam North Constituency, destroying gardens and leaving families in distress.

The hailstorm uprooted banana plants and ruined fields of cassava, maize, soybeans, beans, sunflowers, and cowpeas. Moses Okwir, LC1 Chairperson of Adoga-Omona-Lony in Obangangeo parish, expressed deep concern about residents’ ability to send their children back to school, as most families rely on farming for income. He urged the government to support the community urgently.

George Ogwal, LC1 Chairperson of Awangi B village, reported that crops in more than 250 gardens were wiped out, and one goat was killed. He called upon authorities to supply seeds for replanting, warning that famine could be imminent.

Affected farmers, including Denish Onapa, Imat Mary, and John Merry Acar of Obangangeo parish, fear they won’t be able to pay their children’s school fees due to crop losses. Their schools have requested payment by Saturday, and families were counting on farm yields to meet the deadline. They appealed to the Ministry in charge of Disaster Preparedness for assistance.

Moses Okello Mayini, LCII Chairperson of Obangangeo parish, also voiced fears of hunger and hardship, stating that many residents were depending on their first season harvest to sustain their families.

Oyam District LC5 Chairperson, Benson Dill Oyuku, shared a heartfelt message of solidarity and promised to visit the affected areas on 16 July 2025. He committed to working with the RDC’s office and fellow district leaders to write and submit a request for support to the Office of the Prime Minister and the National Disaster Preparedness Committee.

Sgt. Shilako James, Oyam Resident District Commissioner, called on agricultural and production extension workers in the affected areas to compile a list of impacted households and document crop losses.

He promised to conduct an on-site investigation and forward the findings for urgent government consideration.