How Uganda can escape chronic food insecurity amid climate change
Climate change is having a major impact on Uganda, and its effects are expected to worsen significantly if global emissions are not drastically reduced.
By Patience Katusiime
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions.
But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels.
Climate change is having a major impact on Uganda, and its effects are expected to worsen significantly if global emissions are not drastically reduced.
The effects of climate change are already being felt in Uganda with temperatures rising, rainfall patterns shifting and extreme events such as droughts and floods becoming more frequent and severe.
This is impacting the quality and availability of food, water and energy in the region, putting additional strain on an already vulnerable population.
Rising temperatures also threaten to undermine the livelihoods of many Ugandans. The increase in temperatures could reduce crop yields and thus reduce access to food, which could have significant economic and social impacts.
Furthermore, Uganda is facing a range of other climate-related effects, including reduced access to safe drinking water, increased spread of infectious diseases, and reductions in access to energy.
In addition to this, higher temperatures could contribute to deforestation, land degradation, and flash flooding.
Ultimately, the effects of climate change in Uganda will depend heavily on the level of global emissions, and the actions taken by the Ugandan government to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.
In the long run, the government and international community must take urgent action to dramatically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and develop adaptation strategies in order to protect the Ugandan people
Chronic food insecurity is a long-term, persistent state of struggling to provide enough food for one’s family and its members. It occurs when people lack access to safe, healthy, and nutrient-dense foods regularly.
It can lead to malnutrition, food cravings, stress, and stunted childhood growth. Over time, it can lead to poor health and even poverty. People suffering from chronic food insecurity are more vulnerable to disease and death throughout their lives.
Several areas in Uganda are facing chronic food insecurity. Karamoja region. This region, located in northeastern Uganda, has been experiencing chronic food insecurity for many years. It is characterized by recurrent droughts, limited access to water, and poor agricultural practices.
The people in this region heavily rely on relief aid to meet their food needs. Teso sub-region, located in eastern Uganda, has faced persistent food insecurity. This area has been affected by a combination of factors such as drought, floods, and pests, which have negatively impacted agricultural production.
The Acholi sub-region, Located in northern Uganda has also been facing chronic food insecurity. This area has been affected by years of conflict, which has resulted in the displacement of people from their homes and the destruction of agricultural infrastructure.
Limited access to land, seeds, and other agricultural inputs has further contributed to food insecurity in this region. West Nile region has been affected by a combination of factors such as floods, pests, and conflicts, which have negatively impacted agricultural production.
The Rwenzori sub-region, Located in western Uganda, has also faced chronic food insecurity. This area has been affected by a combination of factors such as landslides, floods, and pests, which have negatively impacted agricultural production.
It is critical to provide farmers with access to quality climate-resilient seeds, to ensure that they are better equipped to withstand climate change-induced weather extremes.
Initiatives should be established to provide these types of seeds, as well as technical support, to enable farmers to achieve greater crop yields.
Strengthening agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, will enable farmers to produce a larger and more consistent harvest, despite changing weather patterns and increased risks.
Investing in water management infrastructure, Proper water management infrastructure, including effective water storage solutions and efficient water-harvesting techniques, is essential for boosting crop yields, increasing agricultural production, and boosting food security.
Promoting and incentivizing innovative farming techniques, such as intercropping, soil conservation, and pest-resistant crop varieties, will help farmers to achieve better crop yields and help to ensure long-term food security.
By streamlining and better-targeting regulations, governments can help farmers build resilience
Patience Katusiime is the program assistant at Environment Governance Institute
Email: pkatusiime1@gmail.com
