JEEMA: Demands Uganda Emergency Irrigation Amidst Drought

• The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has called for emergency irrigation measures in Uganda due to a severe dry spell impacting crops and livestock.
• The drought is particularly affecting Karamoja, cattle corridor districts, and coffee-growing areas, threatening agricultural production and household incomes.
• JEEMA urges the government to increase agricultural funding, honor the Maputo Declaration's 10% allocation, and prioritize large-scale irrigation and climate resilience.
• The party also called on MAAIF for immediate contingency measures and guidance, stating the Parish Development Model is inadequate for large-scale infrastructure needs.
• Concerns are high for Uganda's coffee production, a major source of export earnings and livelihoods, highlighting the need for budget reconsideration to address food security, poverty, and climate change.

The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has issued a pressing appeal to the Ugandan government, advocating for the immediate implementation of emergency measures to safeguard agricultural production.

The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has issued a pressing appeal to the Ugandan government, advocating for the immediate implementation of emergency measures to safeguard agricultural production. This urgent call comes in response to a severe dry spell that is devastating crops and leading to livestock fatalities across various regions of the country. The political party highlights that the prolonged heat is particularly impacting Karamoja, several cattle corridor districts, and critical coffee-growing areas, posing a significant threat to both agricultural output and the livelihoods of countless households.

Swaib Kaggwa Nsereko, spokesperson for JEEMA, underscored the necessity of moving beyond reliance on unpredictable seasonal rainfall. He emphasized that the current crisis clearly demonstrates the urgent need for substantial, long-term investment in irrigation infrastructure. Nsereko articulated that while natural rainfall will eventually return, Uganda must establish enduring solutions to address this recurring annual challenge, ensuring the resilience of its agricultural sector against future climatic shocks.

Beyond immediate relief, JEEMA is urging the government to significantly increase its financial commitment to agriculture. The party specifically calls for Uganda to honor the Maputo Declaration, an agreement that mandates African nations to allocate a minimum of 10 percent of their national budgets to the agricultural sector. This increased funding, according to JEEMA, should be directed towards prioritizing large-scale irrigation infrastructure, bolstering agricultural research, enhancing extension services, and implementing comprehensive climate-resilience measures to shield farmers from the devastating effects of recurrent droughts.

The Justice Forum also directed a specific request to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), demanding the swift issuance of contingency measures and technical guidance for farmers grappling with the ongoing drought. Nsereko critically assessed the Parish Development Model, which provides Shs1 million to individual beneficiaries, stating it is insufficient to address the current crisis. He argued that this model cannot serve as an alternative to the substantial public investment required for the large-scale irrigation infrastructure necessary to mitigate a crisis of this magnitude.

The political advocacy group has voiced serious concerns regarding the potential repercussions of the drought on Uganda's vital coffee production. Coffee is identified as a cornerstone of the nation's export earnings and provides livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers across the country. A significant disruption to this sector due to drought conditions could have far-reaching economic and social consequences.

JEEMA is therefore pressing the government to re-evaluate its current budget priorities. The party contends that a substantial increase in agricultural investment is not merely a sectoral concern but a fundamental requirement to tackle pressing national issues such as food security, widespread poverty, and the escalating impact of climate change. The current drought serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of these challenges and the critical role of robust agricultural infrastructure in national stability.

While this article reports on political advocacy rather than a new legal directive, it signals increasing pressure on the Ugandan government to invest in agricultural infrastructure and climate resilience. Lawyers advising clients in the agricultural sector, particularly those involved in coffee production or large-scale farming, should monitor potential future policy changes, funding initiatives, or regulatory shifts related to irrigation and climate adaptation that may arise from such calls.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post