Mubuku farmers struggle as irrigation water shortages worsen

8 July 2026, 2:36 pm

By Jonex Babulya

For hours each day, farmers in the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme wait for their turn to access water, hoping there will be enough to keep their crops alive.

Instead, many are forced to spend between five and eight hours irrigating just one acre, while others watch their gardens dry up as water supplies continue to dwindle.

Ms. Mary Tumuhimbise, a local farmer says the biggest challenge facing farmers is the persistent shortage of irrigation water, but that they were using the hot season to prepare gardens.

Mr. Saad Behemuka, a local leader attributes the water shortages to the prolonged dry spell, which has significantly reduced water levels in River Mubuku, the main source of water for the irrigation scheme.

Meanwhile, Nyakatonze Cooperative Union Manager Adam Bwambale faulted the Ministry of Water for appointing officials who are not farmers to manage the irrigation scheme, arguing that this has contributed to poor decision-making and ineffective management.