Area:
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200 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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North-east is semi-arid, rest of the country is tropical wet-dry; main rainy period is March-October
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Population:
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21.69 million (1999 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 320 (1997)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country
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Logistics:
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Ports: Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); roads and railways inadequate
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Major foodcrops:
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Roots, tubers, plantains, pulses, maize, millet, sorghum
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Marketing year:
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January/December; Lean season: April-May
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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35 percent
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Recent reports indicate that western parts of Uganda is faced with severe food shortages due to a prolonged drought which has affected crop production and livestock. More than half a million farmers are reported to be facing severe food shortages and in need of urgent assistance. Thousands more are reported to be moving to northern Tanzania in search of water and pasture. The worst hit counties are Nyabushozi, Kashari and Ibanda in Mbarara, and Ruhinda and Ruhaama in Bushenyi and Ntungamo respectively. Food difficulties also persist in northern areas, where 400 000 people remain displaced by persistent insurgency. International food aid is being provided.
Elsewhere, the outlook for the harvest of the 1999 main season cereal crops, which has started in some parts of the country, is generally favourable. In Lake Victoria basin, including Rakai, and eastern region, a normal harvest is anticipated, despite drier weather in late May and June. In the north, where the rainy season extends from April through November, crop conditions were reported to be normal. Cereal production is expected to increase in Kitgum and Gulu due to abundant rainfall, availability of inputs and improved security that allowed increased access to cultivable land.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal Production | 9 | 78 | 1 810 | 1 897 |
| Normal Imports | 18 | 5 | 10 | 33 |
| of which: Structural food aid | 15 | - | 10 | 25 |
| 1999 Domestic Availability | 14 | 51 | 1 650 | 1 715 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 9 | 77 | 1 630 | 1 716 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 9 | 51 | 1 630 | 1 690 |
| Possible stock drawdown | 5 | - | 20 | 25 |
| 1999 Utilization | 84 | 57 | 1 700 | 1 841 |
| Food Use | 83 | 57 | 1 245 | 1 385 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 1 | - | 325 | 326 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | - | 130 | 130 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 1999 Import Requirement | 70 | 6 | 50 | 126 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 70 | 4 | - | 74 |
| Food aid needs | - | 2 | 50 | 52 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 12 | - | - | 12 |
| Of which: Delivered | 6 | - | - | 6 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 12 | 12 |
| Of which: for local use | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| for export | - | - | 6 | 6 |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 4 | 3 | 57 | 64 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of normal: | 90 | |||
| 1998 import requirement as % of normal: | 382 | |||
| 1998 food aid requirement as % of normal: | 208 |
