This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On October 8, 2019, a World Bank report highlighted Uganda's inadequate investment in agriculture, with the country spending a mere 2.8% of its budget on the sector, the lowest in East Africa.
Despite being a net exporter of food to the region, particularly to South Sudan and Kenya, Uganda's low expenditure on agriculture poses a significant threat to its ability to feed itself in the long run.
According to the report, Burundi tops the list with 9.7% expenditure on agriculture, closely followed by Rwanda at 5.3%, Kenya at 5.7%, and Tanzania at 3.9%.
Other countries, such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia, are also investing heavily in agriculture, with some of them emerging as potential competitors in the East African food market.
Dr. Fred Muhumuza, a lecturer of Economics at Makerere University, expressed concern over Uganda's continued low investment in improving agricultural productivity.
Ladisy Komba Chengula, an agriculture economist with the World Bank, warned that Uganda's productivity of 2% is lower than the 3% population growth rate, which means the country will soon be unable to feed itself.
The report recommends increased investment in agriculture to improve production, marketing, extension work, and access to better seeds, inputs, irrigation, fertilizers, and rural roads.
