Why is Uganda experiencing a food crisis?

Core Impact Points

• The Karamoja region in Uganda is facing its worst drought in decades, with crops failing and families struggling to access food.
• Climate change, environmental degradation, and conflict between cattle herders and raiders have exacerbated the crisis, with food prices rising.
• The Ugandan government has set aside $18m in aid for the Karamoja region, but experts say a broader structural solution is needed to address the crisis.
• The crisis has highlighted the need for climate-smart agriculture, water harvesting, and irrigation systems to improve food security in the region.
• The Ugandan government's reliance on emergency food distribution has been criticized as a short-term solution, with experts calling for investment in local production systems.
• The crisis has implications for the US market, as Uganda is a key player in the global food market, and the crisis could lead to increased food prices and shortages in the US.