Rubanda District communities affected by a prolonged drought are struggling with food shortages and rising vegetable prices, prompting leaders to distribute two solar-powered water pumps to support irrigation.
The drought, which has affected the district since May, has left farmers facing difficulties growing crops, while the scarcity of fresh vegetables and fruits has pushed up prices, according to residents.
The two portable surface solar water pumps were lobbied from the National Planning Authority by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi, Rubanda District Woman MP Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda and Rubanda West MP Bruce Balaba Kabaasa.
The pumps were handed over to beneficiaries in Kacerere Town Council in Rubanda West and Ruhonwa Parish in Hamurwa Sub-county to help communities access water for irrigation and reduce the effects of the prolonged dry spell.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Kacerere Town Council headquarters on Monday, community leaders said the persistent sunshine had affected the availability of fresh vegetables and fruits, leaving households struggling to access some essential foods.
Geofrey Ainembabazi, the LC1 chairperson of Nyamatembe Village in Nyamatembe Ward, Kacerere Town Council, said the drought had made it difficult for residents to maintain their gardens and produce food for household consumption.
Emmanuel Tukamushaba, the LC2 chairperson of Ruhonwa Parish in Hamurwa Sub-county, and Eliab Mugambagye, the LC3 chairperson of Kacerere Town Council, said farmers had been unable to water their crops despite the need to protect them from the prolonged dry conditions.
They cited the rising cost of vegetables as evidence of the pressure on households, saying a cabbage that previously sold for Shs500 now costs about Shs3,000.
The leaders welcomed the delivery of the pumps, saying the equipment would provide an opportunity for farmers to irrigate their gardens and improve food availability if properly managed.
Aggrey Turyatunga, the LC5 councillor representing Kacerere Town Council, also commended the leaders who lobbied for the equipment, describing the intervention as timely amid the drought.
However, the availability of the pumps alone may not resolve the challenges facing farmers unless communities organise their use and maintain the equipment to ensure it serves them for a long time.
Asiimwe Savius, the assistant agriculture officer for Kacerere Town Council, and Ivan Mugisha, the district agriculture engineer, urged residents to take responsibility for the solar water pumps to ensure their durability.
They challenged the beneficiaries to protect the equipment and use it appropriately to support agricultural production.
The intervention comes as communities grapple with the effects of prolonged dry conditions on food production and household incomes, highlighting the importance of irrigation in helping farmers cope with changing weather patterns.
During the ceremony, Brighton Arineitwe, the LC5 councillor for Habuhutu Town Council, Obed Mutatina, the LC5 councillor for Bubaare Town Council, and Neverine Tusasibwe, who represented the MPs, commended the cooperation between elected leaders and the district administration.
They said the leaders had also lobbied for delivery beds for health facilities, solar systems, water tanks, sewing machines, incubators and irrigation pumps for communities across the district.
The distribution of the solar water pumps is expected to provide a practical option for affected farmers to sustain crop production during dry spells, although the long-term impact will depend on proper management, access to water sources and the ability of farmers to maintain irrigation activities.
