The harvests for most crops in different parts of the country have been poor this year mainly because of the prolonged rains the country experienced in the last months of last year (2025) up to the end of April this year.
Robusta coffee farmers saw their crop preparing to flower, only to see the buds dying and rotting due to the persistent rains. This resulted in poor coffee harvests for most parts of central and western Uganda.
The persistent rains also caused low harvests for crops such as beans and groundnuts. Many people took advantage of the rains to plant coffee.
The young plants grew with vigour and gave hope to most farmers, particularly those taking up coffee farming for the first time.
Young men have been seen fetching water in plastic cans on motorcycles and bicycles from the swamps to irrigate the young coffee trees whenever the rains exhibited signs of delay.
However, around the beginning of May this year, the rains stopped almost suddenly and right now, nearly every plant in much of central Uganda and many other parts of the country is wilting due to water shortage. Deaths have actually been reported in Karamoja where whole fields of crops dried up.
Irrigation efforts have been slowed down following most swamps and streams going dry due to the unusually long and drought. The rain water tanks have gone dry in most homes where they exist. All Robusta coffee farmers are disappointed, especially the newcomers in coffee production.
Entire fields of maize and beans have been destroyed. People can hardly find water for their animals to drink, for preparing their meals, and even for toiletry.
Then came AGRA’s Food Security Monitor July 2026 report, which announced the impending strong El Nino event that may last from around October this year to April nest year, and pose significant risks to global and African food security through droughts, floods, agricultural losses, and economic destruction.
It says: ‘The event has already contributed to rainfall deficits across several regions, including East Africa, while the African Development Bank estimates it could reduce GDP in heavily affected African countries by 1-2 percent and generate economic losses of $10-20 billion through crop failures, livestock losses, infrastructure damage, rising food prices and increased migration pressures.’
Farmers and governments are accordingly cautioned to strengthen preparedness to mitigate the anticipated impacts on food security and livelihoods.