environment 31 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Lango Farmers Brace for Famine as Intense Heatwave Devastates Crops
Farmers in Uganda's Lango sub-region are facing the grim prospect of famine due to a severe heatwave that has wilted crops and disrupted crucial planting seasons. The unpredictable weather is threatening food security and causing agricultural produce prices to surge. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/lango-farmers-fear-famine-as-heatwave-wilts-crops-disrupts-planting-5577718
Farmers across the Lango sub-region of Uganda are expressing grave concerns about an impending food crisis, exacerbated by a prolonged and intense heatwave. Scorching temperatures, some reaching up to 37°C, have severely impacted crop development and made timely planting impossible for many.
The dry spell has left farmers unable to sow their second-season crops, while those who managed to plant in July are witnessing their young seedlings wither under the relentless sun. Districts like Apac are reporting that staple crops such as maize, beans, and groundnuts have not been planted by the usual end-of-August deadline. Farmers express a sense of helplessness, appealing to the government for urgent intervention to avert widespread famine.
Local markets are already reflecting the impact of reduced harvests, with prices for grains and legumes significantly increasing. For instance, maize grain is reportedly selling for Shs1,150 per kilogram, while beans range from Shs3,000 to Shs4,000. Traders are increasingly sourcing produce from outside the region, indicating a substantial decline in local supply.
Agricultural officials attribute some of the erratic weather patterns to environmental degradation, including wetland encroachment and deforestation. They are advising farmers to prepare their land and seeds for immediate planting once rains return, and to consider drought-resistant crop varieties, rainwater harvesting, and irrigation where feasible. Despite the current drought, forecasts suggest potentially wetter-than-normal conditions later in the year, which could bring risks of flooding and further crop damage.
This challenging agricultural outlook, marked by extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall, underscores the vulnerability of communities heavily reliant on seasonal farming. The need for sustainable agricultural practices and infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, is becoming increasingly critical to buffer against climate change impacts.