FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.2, August 1998 -

UGANDA

CURRENT SITUATION

The outlook for the harvest of the 1998 first season food crops, which has started in some parts of the country, is uncertain. A delay in the onset of the rains was followed by irregular precipitation during the growing season. A dry spell in central and eastern parts of the country since the second decade of May was interrupted by abundant precipitation in the first dekad of June, which resulted in flash floods in parts of Lira district. However, dry weather resumed in the remaining of the month, particularly in northwestern areas. The erratic rains during the season are likely to have resulted in yield reductions in some areas that, nevertheless, may be partially compensated by an overall increase in the area planted to maize in response to better seed availability. In the northern districts of Gulu and Kitgum, the intensification of rebel activity at planting time will result in a reduced production.

Despite erratic rains, pastures remain in good condition in the pastoral areas of the North-east and South-west.

The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Prices of beans and maize, which were below their levels of a year ago following the good 1997 second season harvest, have started to decline with the beginning of the harvest and reported large stock held by traders. In western and northern parts, where last season harvest was reduced, the tight food supply situation of large numbers of people is expected to easy with the arrival of the new harvest into the markets. However, serious food difficulties are been experienced in northern and western areas where persistent civil conflict continues to result in population displacements and disruption of agricultural activities. Increased insecurity since mid-April in these areas has hampered access to the displaced camps and delivery of food assistance.