Prolonged dry spell threatens crop yields

What the report says

The Observer reports that a prolonged dry spell is raising concern about crop production and rural incomes across Uganda, with farmers in several districts saying fields have gone more than a month without meaningful rain. The article says beans have already withered in some areas, while maize and sunflower are faring somewhat better but still depend on rainfall to recover. It also notes that coffee and banana plantations in parts of the country are being affected.

In Kwania district, farmer Mark Odyomo said the drought has destroyed beans in his garden and urged government help through better seed support and financial assistance for small farming groups. A seed scientist at the National Crops Resources Research Institute, Morris Obura, warned that continued dryness could reduce food production because some crops are failing before they reach the stage needed for harvest. He said irrigation could help farmers manage unreliable rains.

The report places the dry spell in a wider economic context. Uganda relies heavily on agriculture for livelihoods, and the Bank of Uganda has previously warned that adverse weather could push food prices higher. The Ministry of Water and Environment had also recently said the country could see El Niño-related rains from September to December, with much of the country expected to receive near-normal to above-normal rainfall. In Kampala, the heat, dust and reduced customer traffic are also affecting small businesses and boda boda riders, though the article says the impact is more severe in rural areas where families depend directly on harvests.