Farmers across Masaka district are grappling with severe economic hardship after an unprecedented four‑month drought has decimated staple crops such as maize, beans, and millet. The Uganda Meteorological Agency confirmed that rainfall levels were 78 percent below average between June and September, leading to soil moisture depletion and crop failure. Local agricultural cooperatives estimate total losses at roughly 2.3 billion Ugandan shillings, threatening food security for over 150,000 residents. The Ministry of Agriculture has pledged emergency food aid and is urging donors to fund irrigation projects to mitigate future climate shocks. Meanwhile, community leaders are organizing seed‑bank initiatives to preserve heirloom varieties for the upcoming planting season.
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