Grapevine

Dry spell casts shadow of poverty and hunger

The delayed rains and scorching sun in different parts of the country have left several hectares of gardens of crops withered.

Farmers from the central, western and eastern regions who had taken advantage of the mid- September rains to plant crops are now counting losses over the failed rains.

In the south-western region, farmers who used the first rains in the mid-September to plant seeds are also disappointed that their crops are withering, with little or no signs of the rains.

In parts of Isingiro and Mbarara Districts, the scorching sun has not only affected the crops but also the livestock farmers.

Ms Florence Kyampaire, a farmer in Rweibogo Village, Bugamba Sub-county in Isingiro District, says she planted bean seeds in mid-September after the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) predicted the start of the rainy season in mid-September.