UGANDA (24 October)
Harvesting of the 2005 main season crops is complete and the outlook is favourable. Already wholesale maize price have started to decline in most of the markets. However, increased demand in northern Uganda and the observed exports to Kenya are expected to firm-up these prices. In northern Uganda, poorly distributed rainfall has negatively affected crop development. However, an average sorghum crop is expected in Karamoja.
The national food situation is stable. However, insecurity remains a serious problem in northern Uganda (Gulu, Kigum, Lira and Pader districts) as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) continues to attack communities and lay ambushes on roads, maiming and killing people as well as destroying assets and property and denying displaced people from accessing their fields and crops. Food distributions continue to reach 1.4 million displaced persons and nearly 200 000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. WFP faces a shortfall of over 100 000 tonnes of food commodities, with a funding gap of about US$50 million required to maintain the food pipeline through mid-2006.