Climate-Vulnerability Mapping Ushers in New Era for Uganda’s Agriculture
Kampala/Uganda
Uganda has taken a significant leap in agricultural and climate-adaptation planning by validating high-resolution climate-vulnerability maps designed to guide evidence-based interventions for the farming sector. Hosted in Entebbe from 22–23 October 2025, the workshop was organised by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in partnership with Mathematica Global and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries (MAAIF) of Uganda.
What the initiative involves
The maps identify climate-risk “hotspots” — specific crop systems and geographic zones where farmers are most exposed to erratic rainfall, drought, soil degradation, landslides and other climate stresses. The mapping exercise covers Uganda as part of a five-country African initiative (including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Ghana). The maps are now poised to feed into Uganda’s National Adaptation Plan for Agriculture (NAP-Ag) and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
Why this is important
Agriculture remains Uganda’s backbone — employing nearly 72% of the workforce and contributing about 24 % of GDP. With climate change intensifying, yields and livelihoods are at increasing risk. The new mapping means resources can be targeted more strategically: drought-tolerant seeds in hotspot zones, irrigation and soil-conservation in sensitive districts, risk-finance instruments and extension services aligned to vulnerability. Speaking at the event, Dr Paul Mwambu (Commissioner, Crop Inspection & Certification) emphasised that “traditional methods alone are no longer sufficient” and that the maps serve as an “evidence-based compass” for policy and investment.
Challenges & implications
Translating the mapping into action will require financing, technical capacity, and coordination across ministries and local governments.
Some districts and farmers may lack access to technologies or extension support to act on the insights.
As the global context suggests, climate shocks can wipe out years of gains unless adaptation is fast and inclusive.
There is a need to ensure that smallholder farmers — especially youth, women and remote communities — benefit, and are not left further behind.
What to watch
Which districts will be prioritised for adaptation investment and how much budget flows are allocated.
The rollout of interventions: drought-resilient seeds, localized weather advisories, mini-irrigation systems.
How this affects Uganda’s agricultural productivity and export competitiveness in the coming seasons.
Whether this mapping approach becomes a standard tool for other sectors beyond agriculture (e.g., forestry, water-management, infrastructure).
