Sunday 8 May 2016

12 cows killed in electrocuted accident two houses destroyed including irrigation farms during heavy wind and rain

By MORIS MUMBERE

e-society

kasese: Twelve cows have been electrocuted after a heavy voltage electric pole fell on the metallic barbed fence as they were grazing in at Mubuku association of dairy farm in Mubuku irrigation scheme, Kasese district.

The tragedy happened yesterday last night at around 11pm during a
heavy down pour that ravaged the area for almost six hours.

The heavy down pour that was characterized by strong wind, also left
down Ssebwe primary school staff quarters which accommodated six staff
teachers, and its two-classroom block and two crib maize granaries of
Mubuku irrigation scheme farmers’ association.

According to the extension officer Mr. Woire Jonah said the dead cows
belong to a number of farmers who are reported to have been grazing in
one farm.
Henry Mutabazi the Ssebwe village LC1 chairperson in scheme ward,
Kasese municipality confirmed the incident to our reporter this
morning.
Mutabazi says the dead cows met their death as they were trying to run
for a safer place which was unfortunately near the barbed wires that
had already gained electric current from the fallen electric pole.

He identified the affected cattle keepers as Deo Munyazikiwi who lost
four, Asaba Wilson lost three, Katalikawe Moses lost two and Alice
Mbabazi who also lost three.

By press time, a cow of about one hundred kilograms which would
initially cost one million shilling, was selling at only one hundred
fifty thousands shillings as the owners could not withstand double
loss of losing their cows and giving them to residents for free.

Sibaminya Sam the deputy head teacher for Ssebwe primary school
explained to reporter that the collapsed teacher’s quarters which was
housing four female teachers was damaged seriously adding that the
occupants with their seven children are now homeless.

The Kasese municipal councilor representing scheme ward David
Turyamureba also told our reporter that the collapsed maize granaries
were helping about one hundred fifty maize farmers for storing their
maize from Mubuku irrigation scheme.

Turyamureba also regretted the dead animals belonging to dairy
association of Mubuku farmers before calling for government assistance
to the affected farmers.

By press, a team of UMEME technicians and police had rushed to the
village to disconnect the power.

END