By Mike Rwothomio

A devastating  hailstorm accompanied by driving rain and powerful winds tore through Jupangira Sub-County in Nebbi District on Tuesday evening, September 22, 2026, leaving a trail of destruction across several villages.

The intense storm ripped the iron-sheet roofing from the stone-walled Canatek  Church of Uganda in Nyarwodho Parish,  Goli Central Archdeaconry under  Nebbi Diocese Church of Uganda.

Sheets were hurled into neighbouring gardens as the structure was partially dismantled.

Hardest-hit areas included Jupukok East and Jupukok South in Ayomu Parish, and Jupuryek South in Jupangira Parish.

Local residents and church leaders described scenes of widespread havoc.

The catechist of Canatek Church of Uganda  Adiebo Midar reported that,  the heavy rainfall and strong winds not only deroofed the church but also damaged several church properties.

He appealed for prayers and support.

Richard Wathum, LCI chairperson of Jupukok village, said houses, trees and other properties were destroyed, calling on government for urgent assistance.

Josephine Iracan of Jupuryek said her only house was completely deroofed, leaving her family stranded.

Margaret Kwiocwiny, a congregant at Canatek Church of Uganda, recounted witnessing the destruction around 6 p.m.: “It has left a big trail of destruction on the church.”

Maize, cassava and other food crops were decimated  by the hailstones, compounding earlier crop losses from similar hail in the same sub-county earlier this year.

A comparable storm in 2023 deroofed Udende Church of Uganda and wrecked houses and fields across Jupangira.

Uganda’s Department of Meteorological Services under Ministry of Water and Environment has warned that the September–December 2026 season is expected to bring near-normal to above-normal rainfall across most of the country, with warmer-than-average temperatures. 

The outlook is linked to an intensifying El Niño episode, which is projected to enhance rainfall particularly in central, northern and eastern regions, while western areas , including West Nile are also likely to see near- to above-normal totals. 

Rains are establishing from mid-to-late September, with a peak expected between late October and November, and the season potentially extending into early January 2027. 

Authorities have flagged elevated risks of extreme weather, including heavy downpours, flash floods, landslides, lightning, strong winds and hailstorms that can damage crops, homes and infrastructure.

Hailstorm deroofed Canatek Church of Uganda

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Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information for African news, trends abd updates.