Mpuuga Warns Drought and Rising Fuel Costs Could Deepen Food Crisis

What the report says

Democratic Front president Mathias Mpuuga has warned that prolonged dry spells, rising fuel prices and high food costs could worsen hunger in Uganda unless the government takes urgent action. Speaking to journalists at the party headquarters in Lungujja, Kampala, he said the combination of drought and transport costs was making it harder for food to reach markets affordably and was increasing pressure on households already struggling to cope.

Nile Post reports that Mpuuga linked the situation to worsening food insecurity in several parts of the country, citing recent assessments that show millions of people in analysed areas are facing crisis-level food insecurity or worse, with Karamoja among the hardest hit. He argued that prolonged sunshine and dry conditions are threatening agricultural production and could deepen the food crisis if no intervention follows.

The opposition leader also used the remarks to question how Uganda could approach its 64th Independence Anniversary on October 9 while some citizens face hunger. He accused government of failing to respond strongly enough to the crisis and said silence from officials was adding to public suffering.

Mpuuga urged greater investment in irrigation so farmers can continue producing during dry periods. He also broadened his criticism to include unemployment, limited economic opportunities, alleged human rights violations and political repression, calling on Ugandans to unite around a new national path. In the wider context, rising fuel prices have recently increased transport costs for goods, which can compound food-price pressures during periods of drought.