James Muhangu, a cattle farmer in Lenju village in Bombo sub county in Hoima says between January and February, he lost more than 10 cows due to lack of pasture and water.
According to the guidelines, the Government contributes between 25% and 75% of the total cost of the irrigation equipment whereas the farmers contribute 25%-75% depending on the type of scheme they need to install.
The few available dams that used to provide water for the animals have all dried up forcing farmers to trek long distances in search of water. According to the farmers, their animals have started dying due to a lack of pasture and water.
Eng. Nicholas Lubanga, one of the officials from the Water and Environment Ministry overseeing the project, says the mistakes that lead to loss of the crops could be expected since it was the first time for the farmers to interface with irrigation technology.
Stretching several kilometres through the North East and Western part of Agoro, Langiya hills provides a natural shield that separates the area from volatile South Sudan. From the hills, flows Agoro River that has over the years bred life to agriculture, one of the predominant economic activities undertaken by the residents besides cattle keeping.
While droughts are uncommon in Hoima, the length and severity of the dry conditions since September last year have strained cattle farmers. They endured dry conditions for more than five months, hand feeding their animals and forced to sell down stock as they run out of pasture and water during the prolonged dry spell.
Most of the pastoralists have been forced to sell off their cows for as low as Shillings 100,000. To date most farmers are continuing to lose their animals due to the prolonged drought.
The government of Uganda in the past thirteen years been engaging leaders in the Karamoja region in better farming methods including the use of irrigation to grow crops and the construction of valley dams that would act as sources of water in the area.
At least 900 of the 2300 residents on Bufumira have migrated to the nearby sub counties of Bubeke in Kalangala District and Kituntu in Mpigi district. Sylvester Ssemugenyi, the LC I secretary Bufumira island, says currently no boat are allowed to fish.
Prof Twinomugisha says that the water bottle type of irrigation is not only old-fashioned but could also have far reaching environmental impacts if widely promoted.
Brian Mwesigye, the Ntoroko District Finance and Administration Secretary, says that they couldnt budget for disaster because of the low local revenue base.
Moses Mubangizi, the Bundibugyo District Natural Resources Coordinator, says that the department lacks funds to contribute to the center. He explains that the department is allocated Shillings 600 Million every financial year, which is inadequate.
Most food insecure regions include Teso, Karamoja, Bukedi, the Cattle Corridor, Busoga, Lango, Acholi and parts of central Uganda, according to a statement presented by State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru
In Uganda, the prices of beans, cassava and maize flour is about 25 per cent higher than a year ago in the capital city, Kampala. Beans now cost 40 per cent more in Kenya than a year earlier while maize prices are up by around 30 per cent, according to the bulletin.
Scientists are saying the longer Uganda takes to adopt the technology that has been in place for two decades, the more it will continue to suffer with low agricultural productivity. They say GMO technology could offer solution for increased productivity.
Kenyan and Tanzanian government have imposed maize exports bans as part of the efforts to curb food shortages. The Farmers federation in Uganda however says says Uganda should not follow the same direction.
Recently, Dr. Sam Eswaggu, the Veterinary Officer Nakasongola District advised pastoralists to sell off some animals especially the weak, old and bulls, saying they wont survive the drought.
Martin Mbiro, a resident of Iwungilo village in Namutumba district commended government for giving him food. Mbiro told URN that his family has been surviving on supper alone and mangoes for the rest of the day.
