Ugandan Audit Uncovers Costly Failures in National Solar Irrigation Initiative

A comprehensive audit of a major solar irrigation programme has brought to light widespread failures, leaving many agricultural schemes abandoned and unused across the country. The initiative, designed to help farmers combat unpredictable weather patterns and boost crop yields through renewable energy, has instead encountered severe operational hurdles.

According to the findings, several solar-powered water systems suffered from technical breakdowns shortly after installation. Others were left idle due to a lack of proper community training, poor maintenance frameworks, and inadequate stakeholder consultation before rollout. As a result, millions of shillings invested in the infrastructure have failed to deliver the intended economic benefits to rural farming communities.

Agricultural experts and oversight bodies are now calling for immediate accountability and a comprehensive overhaul of how public-funded agricultural technologies are implemented. Without robust post-installation support and technical oversight, projects of this scale risk wasting valuable resources while leaving farmers vulnerable to persistent climate and irrigation challenges.

Read the full report on the Daily Monitor.