Uganda: Onion farmers in Rukiga district complain about import, rain and higher cultivation costs

Onion farmers from Uganda's Rukiga district are thwarted by the onion imports that have a strong influence on local markets. In addition, heavy rains have affected their crops and the rising prices of basic commodities such as crop protection agents are further affecting their revenues. Onions in Rukiga district are mainly grown in Karorwa and Nyakasiro areas in Bukinda Sub-county, Ibumba, Kahama and Kahanda in Rwamucucu Sub-county, and Nyakitabire in Muhanga Town Council. The farmers claim that onions exported to Uganda from countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have hit the local market hard, causing huge losses for Ugandan onion growers. This has led to a sharp drop in onion prices, causing a kilo to drop from 4,000 Ugx (€ 1.08) to 1,500 Ugx (€ 0.41). Many onion ...