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In a bid to lessen the effects of climate change and boost agricultural productivity, the government of Uganda has proposed irrigation initiatives worth sh448 billion. The project’s first phase is in Namalu, Nakapiripirit district, the Amuru Unyama Irrigation Scheme, and Sipi, which is in the Bulambuli district. These will be added to the eight existing irrigation plans.

96 small-scale solar irrigation systems will be installed nationwide as part of the five-year programme. The solar-powered small-scale irrigation schemes cover roughly 10 hectares of land, while the medium irrigation schemes cover a combined total of 2,900 hectares of land.

Infrastructure, like as reservoirs, canals, and storage facilities, will be built by the government, compensation under the project will only be given for the area where infrastructure, including as canals, reservoirs, and office buildings, will be built; the remaining land will continue to be used for farming.

The Ministry of Water and Environment will carry out this along with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Microfinance Support Centre, and the relevant local governments.

The project is co-financed by the government (sh73 billion), an Islamic Development Bank loan of sh320 billion, and an Arab Bank for Economic Development credit of sh55 billion.

Presiding over the launch in Mbale city on Thursday 4^th May 2023, the water minister Dr. Sam Cheptoris, noted that Uganda relies heavily on rain for agriculture and subsistence, which is particularly risky for food safety.

“Uganda’s capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change is low, which is attributed to limited options of livelihoods and lack of support to climate change adaptation mechanisms, among others,” he said.

Cheptoris urged farmers to move from rain-fed agriculture to irrigated agriculture in order to boost productivity and stated that the irrigation projects are anticipated to increase productivity. “We expect that this project will bring in more money and improve the livelihoods of the beneficiaries and their families,” he added.

Irrigation is necessary and contributes to higher agricultural output. Two to three times better yields are anticipated for crops grown with irrigation. 40% of the world’s food is grown on irrigated land. Only 0.5% of Uganda’s cultivable land is now irrigated, compared to its irrigation potential. This pales in comparison to Tanzania’s 3.6%, Kenya’s 2.0%, and Burundi’s 1.6%.

The harvests from the irrigated fields are steady and dependable. It is possible to meet production targets that are guaranteed while also lowering the risk of crop failure due to drought and variations in yields from year to year.

Due to the presence of freshwater bodies across more than 15% of the country’s surface, Uganda has one of the highest irrigation potentials in the world.