Some residents at Sikubi in the Sibbinda Constituency are spending the festive season without a roof over their heads after they were blown away and damaged by the stormy weather during the week.

The rain caused damage to furniture and clothing, while food, school books, and other items were soaked by the rain.

About 15 households are affected.

"When it started raining, I told the child I was with that we should move from the house we were in. We quickly ran from it and went into the little hut out there. After just a short while of having done that, that's when the zinc sheets came off from where we ran, hitting our cooking area and the hut we ran to; they also cut branches from the tree here. We lost our food, our beds are damaged, and we've tried to salvage what we can," narrated Georgina Mwangala, an affected resident.

"It literally lifted all the zinc sheets in the small house we were in, we could even hear where they landed, breaking tree branches, our house planks on the roofs. It has been such a huge loss and damage, our food, our electrical items, such as televisions, have all been damaged by water," described Kelvin Mbulumba the incident.

With such losses, the residents have also asked for assistance in any manner from the government and good Samaritans. 

Chibonwa Musukuluhi from Sikubi also lost everything. "We are asking those who can help us in any way to give us whatever they can, even if it means having to fix whatever item it is ourselves because where we are right now, we have nothing and are disturbed by hunger after our losses,"

The Constituency Councillor, Mike Lukaezi says despite many offices having closed for the holidays, efforts are still being made to try and assist where possible.

"But I hope since it's Christmas, I'm waiting for the report on what transpired; I'm waiting for the report on how best we can help them. So far, we are still waiting for the report from the staff at the constituency office."

He said the damage has also affected power in the area.

Lukaezi stated that communication with the disaster and risk management committee took longer than expected, but he looks forward to receiving assistance soon.