Government Intervenes as Caterpillars Devastate Lwengo Crops

What the report says

The Ministry of Agriculture has stepped in to support farmers in two villages in Lwengo District after a caterpillar infestation damaged gardens, threatened household food supplies and, in some cases, spread into homes. According to Nile Post, the affected areas are Kyamatafali and Kikoba, where residents reported heavy crop losses and fears of losing their livelihoods.

The ministry provided pesticides and spraying pumps to help farmers control the pests. Lwengo District Agricultural Officer Peter Bamwine said the support was accompanied by guidance on how to use the chemicals safely and effectively, as well as advice on how the insects develop, spread and can be prevented from returning. He warned residents to handle the pesticides carefully because misuse could create health risks.

Farmers welcomed the intervention, saying the infestation had left them with little to harvest and had reduced food available at home. Some also said the caterpillars had begun entering houses, underscoring how severe the outbreak had become. Lwengo district leaders thanked the media for drawing attention to the problem and said the reports helped prompt government action.

Local leaders nonetheless called for more pesticide supplies, saying the infestation had spread beyond the first two villages and may require a broader response. The episode highlights the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to pest outbreaks and the importance of quick agricultural support when crops and household food stocks are under threat.