By Aggrey Twesigye
Isingiro District is facing severe impacts of climate change, with unpredictable rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts threatening soil fertility, dairy farming, and overall agricultural productivity.
According to Emmanuel Bwengye, the District Natural Resources Officer, the area has been greatly affected by extended dry spells, resulting in acute water shortages for both domestic and agricultural use.
He noted that the persistent drought has forced some residents to migrate in search of better living conditions.
Bwengye further revealed that Lake Nakivale, the district’s main water catchment, has been heavily encroached upon, while vast pasturelands have degraded—leaving many farms without grass.
He added that due to scarcity of pasture, cattle keepers often cross into neighboring Tanzania during the dry season and return when the rains resume.
Bwengye made the remarks during the Isingiro District Level Fair organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Young Farmers Champions Network on Friday.
The event aimed to inspire and engage young people in agribusiness through climate-smart and eco-friendly agricultural innovations.
Kamutiimah Tumwebaze, the team leader of the Young Farmers Champions Network, said the initiative is training youth in various climate-smart practices and organizing district fairs to showcase innovations that promote sustainable agriculture.
Speaking at the same event, Isingiro Assistant RDC Moses Kanduuho attributed the worsening climate conditions to human activities such as wetland degradation.
He called for increased government funding toward climate-smart agriculture to boost productivity, household income, and market access.
