agriculture 24 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Cattle Corridor Grapples with Soaring Milk Prices Amidst Prolonged Drought
A severe dry spell across Ankole and Kigezi regions has decimated milk production, forcing prices to more than double and straining consumers. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/dry-spell-cuts-milk-supply-pushes-prices-higher-in-ankole-kigezi-5568754
Residents in Uganda’s cattle corridor, particularly in the Ankole and Kigezi regions, are facing a sharp increase in milk prices due to an extended dry spell. What began as a typical dry season in May, expected to end in July, has persisted into August, severely impacting livestock fodder and water availability.
This scarcity has directly translated into reduced milk yields from farmers. Milk dealers report a significant drop in supply, with some receiving less than half the usual volume. Consequently, the price of a litre of milk has surged from a pre-drought range of Shs1,000-Shs1,500 to between Shs2,500 and Shs3,000 in many areas.
“The dry spell has been too much; farmers no longer have water and feed for their animals. The milk volumes have reduced at farms,” explained Colleb Tibamanya, a milk dealer in Mbarara City. He noted that the farm-gate price has also risen, forcing dealers to increase their selling prices to cover costs and remain profitable. Milk vendors corroborate this, stating they have never seen prices climb this high, attributing it to the lack of milk in rural areas.
Beyond the immediate impact on milk supply, rising costs of essential farm inputs like acaricides are further pressuring farmers and vendors. In Ntungamo District, the chairperson of the local dairy farmers’ union confirmed that while farm-gate prices have increased, the overall volume of milk collected has plummeted dramatically. Similar reports emerge from Kabale and other affected districts, where dairy cooperatives have had to raise prices, leading to a noticeable decrease in their customer base.
The Dairy Development Authority acknowledges the substantial drop in milk production, estimating a 40-50% reduction during dry seasons. This reduction inevitably leads to higher farm-gate prices, which are then passed on to the consumer, making milk an increasingly unaffordable commodity for many.