Locusts invade Teso Amidst Coronavirus

In Kumi district, the insects are covering a greater percentage of villages in Ongiino sub county and it is not known where there next destination will be.

Another storm of desert locusts has invaded different districts of Teso in the wake of COVID-19 fears in the sub region.

Early this morning, locusts occupied different fields in the sub counties of Ongongoja, Kapujan and Magoro of Katakwi district and at the same time, the swarms had crossed over to Amuria district.

Seraphine Alia, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) told Aica that about 70% of the sub counties have been invaded by the locusts.

“For now, about 70% of the sub counties are experiencing the presence of locusts. However, in Toroma sub county, they are flying over the skies and not yet landed anywhere,” confirmed the CAO.

Residents of Apeduru sub county in Amuria district were in shock as huge swarms of locusts landed in the villages of Ajaki, Aguyaguya, Aporukuju, Onapai and Odoon.

Despite the desparate attempts by residents of drumming jerricans to chase away the locust they just kept flying back to trees and descending on crops.

Speaking to residents of ajaki they expressed sadness following they new invasion of disastrous locusts amidst the corona out break that has got the country on a lock down.

Simon Angedu told Aica that: “locusts are here and they spent the last night on the trees and now they are descending to the crops.”

Meanwhile, Rose Ikolout has spent an entire day with her family members monitoring the movements of locusts and drumming jerrycans in case the swarm lands at their fields.

Mr. Ali Aleper, the LC 3 Chairman for Apeduru sub county, told Aica that people are worried because they tried chasing the locusts by a traditional means of drumming noise but all in vein.

“The locusts arrived here yesterday at about 6pm and as I speak now, people are filled with worries because there is no sign of locusts leaving at any nearby time,” said the Chairman.

In Kumi district, the insects are covering a greater percentage of villages in Ongiino sub county and it is not known where there next destination will be.

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