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Vision2040

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

Statement on the Food Security Situation in the Country

Presented to Parliament

By

Vicent Bamulangaki Ssempijja (MP)

Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

Date:

9th

January, 2017

THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to appraise the executive ond legislature on the
food Security situation in the Country and measures being undertaken to
mitigate its impact
1.0.

Background

1.1.

Colleagues are aware that the country is facing shortage of food,

scarcity of water and pasture/feed for livestock os a result poor rainfall
last year (2016). During the first planting season 2016, rains that were
expected in early March came three weeks later and below average in
North-Western, Central and Eastern parts of the Country. The rains lasted
for one and half to two months (end of March to end of May).
Households that planted crops according to the usual first season
calendar of March witnessed poor or no germination. The little that
germinated of planted crops when the rains came were scotched by
sun when the rains stopped in May.

1.2.

The Second Season rains (August-October) also came late at what is

supposed to be harvest time in most parts of the~ country. There was also
a dry spell during the period May- June which heavily damaged crops
in many parts of the country. This all happened after a very long period
of dry spells in the previous year 2015 in most parts of the country. Our
biggest fear now is the current /a nina conditions (extended dry spell) in
some parts of the country which is forecasted by the national
Meteorological Authority to last between September 2016 and March
2017.

1.3.

The Food Security Analysis done by MAAIF in collaboration with other

stakeholders in July 2016 indicated that at national level, the country
experienced an average crop loss of approximately 40% for pulses
(beans, groundnuts, peas) and 80% for cereals (maize, millet, rice,
sorghum) from the first season harvests. The most affected crop was
maize.

1.4.

Consequently, there was a decline in the number of food secure people

in the country, from 89% in December 2015 to 83% in July 2016, and an
increase in the population under food security stress from 10% to 16%
2

during the same period. This situation was projected to prevail up to end
of November 2016. The 1% population in crisis remained constant, and
these were from Karamoja region, the reason being high Global Acute
Malnutrition (GAM) rates of up to 12 percent, which is above the thresh
hold of 10 percent.
1.5.

There was a 20% decrease in livestock holdings, due to increase in sale

to purchase food and livestock death due to diseases thus leading to
poor food consumption score and low dietary diversity among livestock
keepers. This population has poor purchasing power and has no food
stocks at household level.

2.0.

Specific magnitude of the food security problem

2.1.

Colleagues the latest Food Security situation (2nd November, 2016) that
was a result of rigorous scientific analysis indicated that the most
affected areas are the districts that lie in the cattle corridor, stretching
from North Eastern up to South-Western Uganda. This information was
later confirmed by the follow up of the National Food Security Awareness
Campaign that was undertaken by Inter-ministerial teams led by
Cabinet ministers and/or Ministers of State and coordinated by the Prime
Minister in late November 2016. The sub regions of Karamoja, Teso,
Lango, Acholi, Bukedi, West Nile, Parts of Busoga and most districts along
the Cattle Corridor including lsingiro, Kiruhura, Rakai, Ssembabule
witnessed massive crop failure, leading to little or no harvest. This has
resulted into the food crisis we are experiencing.

2.2.

Much as the situation is worrying, no part of the country is in a famine

phase of food insecurity (Annex 1. food security map). The current food
security situation in the country ranges between minimal and crisis.

2.3.

Harvests of cereals, Matooke, bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes, Irish

potatoes and beans are on markets but the supply is low and the
demand both domestically and regionally (Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi,
Southern Sudan, DRC-Congo, Tanzania, and Central African Republic) is
high. Market prices for all food commodities have increased.

2.4.

There is fear if individuals and families do not manage the available food
stocks at households levels well, the situation can quickly deteriorate to

the emergency and famine stages of the food insecurity within the next
two months.
2.5.

The Country is likely to experience shortage of seed for planting in season

1 of 2017 because the communities are likely to eat all the cereals and
pulses that they have produced.

2.6.

Vegetative propagating seed material is likely to be in short supply.

2. 7.

Colleagues are aware that the standard dietary consumption in

Uganda is three meals in a day (Breakfast), lunch and supper). The
current estimates however, indicate that 25% of the population in lsingiro
District are in an emergency phase of food insecurity; meaning they
access half a meal or nothing at all in a day

2.8.

65% of the population in Karomoja sub region are in a crisis phase of food
insecurity; meaning they access one meal or half a meal in a day.

2. 9.

Colleagues will also note that 35% of the population in the districts of
Katakwi, Amuria, Kumi, Bukedia, parts of Serere and Kaberamaido are
in the same phase with Karamoja sub region (Crisis); meaning they
access one meal or half a meal in a day.

2.1 0. 50% of the people of Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, Maracha, Arua,

Zombo.Nebbi, Adjumani, Amuru, Nwoya, Gulu, Pader, Lamwo, Kitgum,
Agago, Soroti, Ngora, Amolatar, Pallisa, Buteleja, Rakai, lsingiroand
Tororo are in a stressed pahse of food insecurity; meaning they access
one and half meals in a day
2.11. The Districts of Oyam, Apac, Kiryandongo, Masindi, Bulisa,Kyankwanki,
Nakaseke, Kiboga, Mubende, Luwero, Kyegegwa, Sembabule, Kiruhura,
Lwengo, Ntungamo, Kamuli and Kibuuku are in a minimal pahse of food
insecurity, meaning the people can still afford all meals though stocks
are running low.
2.12. The following districts are fairly food secure, Kisoro, Kabale, Kanungu,
Rukungiri, Mitooma, Bushenfy, Rubirizi, lbanda, Kasese, Kabarole,
Bundibugyo, Kyenjojo, Ntoroko, Kibaale, Hoima, Masaka, Lyantonde,
Kalungu, Butambala, Mityana, Wakiso, Gomba, Luuka, lganga, Busia,
Namayingo, Buvuma and Kampala.

2.13. Colleagues, the total population that was in need of relief food, as of
November, 2016 stood at about 1,300,000 people (the sub regions of
Karamoja, Teso , Lango, Acholi, Bukedi, West Nile, Parts of Busoga,
lsingiro, Bukomansimbi, and Kalungu).
3.0.

Water Scarcity and Pasture situation in the country

3.1.

Colleagues as expected since poor rain fall is the main cause of poor
crop harvests, the same sub regions experiencing crop failure including
Karamoja, Teso, Bukedi, West Nile and most districts along the cattle
Corridor are facing shortage of water for both domestic use and
livestock rearing. The same sub regions and districts are also facing
pasture shortage.

4.0.
4.1
4.2.
4.3.

Factors that have contributed to Food Insecurity in the country include;

4.4.
4.5.
4.6.
4.7.
4.8.
4.9.
4.1 0.
4.11.
4.12.
4.13.
4.14.
4.15.
4.16.

Long dry spell and or drought.

Crop Pests and Diseases.
Livestock Diseases (Foot and Mouth Disease) and vectors (ticks and
tsetse fly).
Over-consumption of alcohol.
Over-selling food.
High food prices limiting access to food by households.
Cross border trade.
Rural- urban migration where the most productive age bracket (Youth)
is getting involved less in agriculture.
Sport betting and gambling.
Declining soil fertility, soil degradation.
Destruction of wet lands.
Climate change effects.
Low use or lack of mechanization.
Limited use and or lack of homestead and community storage facilities.
Low fertilizer use.
Inadequate knowledge on water harvesting and use of water for
irrigation.

5.0.

Government effort on food insecurity in the country

5. 1.

Government provided Food relief for the affected vulnerable families.

5.2.

Awareness Campaign that was undertaken by Inter-ministerial teams

led by Cabinet ministers and/or Ministers of State and coordinated by
5

the Prime Minister in late November 2016. The Ministers of Agriculture,

Water & Environment, ICT& National Guidance, Defence and Security
and the Director of National Meteorology Authority participated in the
campaigns and talk shows on local radio stations.
5.3.

Key messages disseminated included:- use of the available food stocks

sparingly; Families to desist from selling their harvests; to save money by
spending less over the past festive season; encouraging the population
to plant leafy vegetables in the event of any little rains; to dry and store
vegetables such cowpea leaves (Gobbe); and scaled up planting of
sweet potatoes. Households who still have cassava and sweet potatoes
should harvest, dry and store for the lean period. Families were
encouraged to harvest, store and use water sparingly for both domestic
and livestock. Animals should be restrained from wondering and
damaging crops and water facilities. Communities were vrged to
restrain from bush burning which results into further loss of pasture,
destruction of vegetation and drying of wells. They were also
encouraged to harvest available grass (fodder) for their livestock to take
care of the long dry spell ahead. Additionally, the communities were
urged to desist from degradation of wetlands, water bodies and natvral
forests.

5.4.

All over the country, the District leadership, Religious and Community
leaders committed to continue the awareness campaigns to the
grassroots. Communication messages about food growing, food
security and environment protection have been shared.

6.0.

General findings/recommendations from the awareness campaign.

6.1.

Support tractor hire service schemes right up to parish level/s to increase

opening up of large tracks of land for extensive farming and increased
agricultural production.
Increase surveillance and monitoring of the food situation and climate
change.
Ban gambling and betting to free youth who the most productive labour
force engage in agricultural production.
Wetland, natural forest, water and soil conservation; and support Tree
planting and afforestation.
Support the formation of Bye-laws and or Ordinances on food security,
wet land protection and alcohol drinking. In the case of Karamoja, levy
high taxes on local waragi entering the districts.
Strengthen and or establish and equip Metrological department in the
districts.
Mobilising and sensitizing the Youth towards work and mind-set change
in order to be more productive and support government programmes
and policies for socio-economic transformation.

6.2.
6.3.
6.4.
6.5.

6.6.
6. 7.

6.8. Promote and support irrigation.

6.9. Set up stores/ Silos in every district for food storage.
6.1 0. More effort is needed in research & multiplication of disease resistant
cassava varieties to continuously supply adequate cassava seed
materials.
6.11. Provide Early warning Information on Food Security and Nutrition to
farmers-establishment of Food and Nutrition Information Systems.
6.12. Support the provision of short term, affordable and easily accessible
agricultural loans and insurance to farmers for increased agricultural
production.
7.0.

Planned way forward

7.1.

Immediate Actions

7.1.1

Continue Provision of food relief to vulnerable families.

7.1.2 Provide seed and planting materials for the rehabilitation of food
production system for season one (March) 2017.
7.1.3 Continue the Food and Nutrition
campaigns on food security.

Surveillance

and

Awareness

7.1.4 Continue pasture improvement for increased dairy production currently

piloted in ten districts through provision of tractor and posture seed.
7.1.5 Promote the production and consumption of food security indigenous
crops such as yams, pumpkins, cassava, kivuvu, balugu.
8.0.

Intermediate and long Term Actions

8.1.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has earmarked

a total budget of UGX 129.08 billion in the next financial year 2017/18 to
undertake sustainable food production systems as indicated in the table
below:-

No

i.
ii.
iii.

Intervention
Support to irrigation interventions- construction of valley
tanks
Value addition in beef for exports
Animal disease control (vaccines and surveillance)

Cost (UGX Billion)

23.36
35.46

9.40

iv.

Crop pests and disease control and support to 4.0

certification services

V.

Quality Assurance, monitoring and support to extension

services
Seed and planting materials for beans, cowpeas,
maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and bananas
Mechanisation and provision of tractors
Provision of hoes

vi.
vii.
viii.

4.04
27.53
15.30
10.0

8.2.
8.3.
8.4.
8.5.

Promote the use of Fertilizers and high quality agriculture inputs.

Promote sustainable land management, water harvesting and irrigation
Strengthen the agriculture extension services.
Provision of post-harvest, Storage and marketing Facilities. Scale out the
. use of household and community food storage facilities (Hermetic bags,
SMART plastic and metallic silos).
8.6. Provide support and knowledge for water harvesting and use of water
for irrigation.
8.7.

Registration of farmers and organising them into area based commodity

cooperatives (ACCEs) and or rural producers and marketing
organisations.

9.0

Conclusion

9. 1

Colleagues, over the last several years, there have been repeated
incidence of poor rains, poor harvest and food insecurity in predictable
regular cycles. The government has identified areas of intervention
stated above for sustainable food and nutrition security and household
income to enable us achieve the middle income status.

9.2

Colleagues will note that the current level of financing for food security
interventions is inadequate to meet the magnitude of the need (water
for production, food and nutrition information system, implementation of
wetlands management, provision of adequate seeds and planting
materials, establishment of storage infrastructures, pests and diseases
control) and climate change.

10.0

At the next convenient meeting of cabinet, I shall request my colleagues

to;

10. 1.

Note the magnitude of the problem and the proposed immediate,

medium and long term actions.

10.2

Note the need to continue providing Food relief by the Ministry of

Disaster preparedness costed at 52.65 billion to the affected families, this
was already alluded to by the District Local governments during the
recently concluded food security awareness campaigns.

10.3

Note the need to re-allocate and frontload funds from the NAADS
Secretariat/OWe equivalent to UGX 26.63 Billion to avail quick maturing
food security planting materials such as: maize, beans, cow peas,
cassava and banana suckers to rehabilitate destroyed plantations
(especially to farmers in lsingiro district) in season one of 2017 as soon as
the rains are established.

10.4. Note the need to continue Food and Nutrition surveillance and
awareness campaign by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry band
Fisheries costed at 2.0 Billion annually.
10.5. Note the need to promote water harvesting and irrigation. Provide
heavy earth moving equipment at regional level.
10.6. Note the need to promote household and community food storage
facilities.
10.7. Note the need to scale mechanization for food and pasture production.

Annex 1: Food Security and Pasture Conditions in the Country

2016

2nd

November

There are five standard phases of food insecurity as illustrated in Fig; below
( 1) Minimal- represented by light green colour on the map
(2) Stressed- Yellow
3) Crisis- brick red
4) Emergency- none
5). Famine -none

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