Heavy rains devastate tomato farmers in Namisindwa

29 October 2026, 11:31 am

By Gerald Welikhe

A commercial tomato farmer and boda boda rider in Namisindwa District is counting heavy losses after torrential rains destroyed his farm, leaving crops rotting in the garden and threatening his ability to repay a high-interest loan.

The disaster struck in Bukhoma Cell, Busubende Ward, Bumbo Town Council, Namisindwa District, where Mr Nasiwuma Andrew, popularly known in his community as “Senior Boda”, had turned to horticulture to supplement his income from transport. However, continuous heavy rainfall recently hit the area, waterlogging the soil, breaking crop supports and causing widespread stem rot across his garden.

The damage has left clusters of unharvested tomatoes rotting on the ground, destroying months of hard work and financial investment. The loss comes at a critical time for Nasiwuma, who secured a loan of one million Ugandan shillings to establish the farm, expecting to repay the debt after harvesting and selling his produce.

“I took a loan of one million shillings, hoping that after selling these tomatoes, I would clear the debt and remain with a profit to support my family. But the heavy rains came and destroyed everything; the stems rotted before we could harvest,” Nasiwuma said.

He revealed that, with his entire harvest destroyed, he now faces mounting pressure from lenders, with no immediate source of income to meet his repayment obligations.

“Now I am stuck with a huge debt and no harvest to sell. I am appealing to local leaders, government agricultural officers and well-wishers to come to my rescue,” he added.

Located on the slopes of the Mount Elgon region, areas such as Bumbo Town Council frequently experience heavy rainfall during the wet seasons. The intense rains can cause localised waterlogging, soil erosion and fungal diseases, including late blight and stem rot, which severely affect crops such as tomatoes and cabbages.

Agricultural losses in the region have been compounded by erratic weather patterns, leaving rural entrepreneurs vulnerable to crop failure. Smallholder farmers who rely on microloans to purchase seedlings, stakes, fertilisers and pesticides often face severe debt burdens when extreme weather destroys their crops.

Local residents and fellow farmers in Busubende Ward expressed sympathy for Nasiwuma’s plight, calling on local government authorities to establish emergency relief mechanisms and provide climate-resilient support for small-scale farmers.

They noted that although encouraging young people and informal-sector workers, including boda boda riders, to engage in commercial agriculture is important for rural economic development, unexpected climate shocks continue to wipe out their investments without adequate financial safety nets.

As rains continue across eastern Uganda, Nasiwuma and other affected farmers in Bumbo Town Council are appealing for urgent support from government agricultural extension services, disaster relief agencies and development partners to help them rebuild their livelihoods and recover from the losses.