Milk shortage hits Uganda as processors report stock-outs
JESA Farm Dairy has announced a temporary shortage of its milk products on the market, saying the ongoing dry season has affected dairy farming communities across the country and reduced milk yields.
JESA Farm Dairy has announced a temporary shortage of its milk products on the market. (File)
___________________
Ugandan milk consumers could face higher prices and shortages after one of the country's major dairy processors reported a temporary disruption in supplies, blaming a prolonged dry spell for reduced raw milk production.
JESA Farm Dairy has announced a temporary shortage of its milk products on the market, saying the ongoing dry season has affected dairy farming communities across the country and reduced milk yields.
In a public notice to customers, the processor on August 18, stated that the prolonged dry conditions had significantly affected milk production.
“We are experiencing a temporary shortage due to the prolonged dry season, which has affected all dairy farming communities and led to reduced milk production,” the statement said.
JESA appealed to consumers for patience as it navigates the supply constraints, assuring them that it remains committed to maintaining product quality despite the production challenges.
The company has not indicated when normal supplies are expected to resume.
Uganda produces an estimated 5.4 billion litres of milk annually, with the dairy sector serving both the domestic market and regional export markets.
However, prolonged dry conditions in parts of the country have affected farm-level production, particularly in cattle-rearing areas such as Ankole, greater Masaka and Ntungamo.
Dry spell persists
The current dry spell, which began around May and was initially expected to ease by July, has persisted into September, raising concerns about its impact on agriculture and livestock production.
The Ministry of Water and Environment had earlier warned of prolonged dry conditions in several parts of the country.
Its June-July-August 2026 seasonal climate outlook forecast near-normal to below-normal rainfall across most parts of Uganda, with temperatures expected to be warmer than average.
The outlook, issued by the Department of Meteorological Services, indicated that the traditional dry season would intensify in western, central and parts of eastern Uganda, while some areas in the north and east would continue receiving rainfall, although below historical averages.
“Overall, the June-July-August 2026 climate outlook indicates that most parts of the country are expected to receive near-normal to below normal rainfall, and temperatures are expected to be warmer than average,” the report stated.
Climate drivers
The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and the position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) were also expected to influence the timing and distribution of rainfall.
“The current warm state of the Sea Surface Temperatures over the equatorial Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean is expected to suppress the JJA rainfall over most parts of the country,” the report stated.
The ministry also noted that Uganda's varied topography would influence rainfall patterns, with mountainous areas such as the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Elgon likely to receive localised rainfall due to orographic uplift.
Regional outlook
The southwestern highlands, lowlands, Rwenzori sub-region and central-western districts were expected to receive below-normal rainfall, with only light and isolated showers anticipated before drier conditions set in.
Most districts, including Kampala, Wakiso and Masaka, were expected to experience predominantly dry conditions, with occasional isolated showers.
In eastern Uganda, areas around Lake Victoria, the Kyoga basin and Mount Elgon were expected to receive intermittent rainfall before a gradual decline. Overall rainfall was forecast to be near normal but with a tendency towards drier conditions.
In northern Uganda, some rainfall was expected, particularly in the northeast and northwest, but overall totals were projected to remain below average.
The ministry said “on-and-off rains” would persist in many areas before gradually tapering off.