Wetland beans harvest met high demand despite adverse weather condition.
Very minimal harvest of beans was realized during September especially from wet lands and offered at a very high market price. Most of the 2nd seasonal crop was highly affected by the dry weather spell and change in the weather pattern. The new beans supply was offered at Ugx.7000/kg wholesale in Kampala while the old stock beans mainly delivered from neighboring Tanzania/Kenya cost Ugx.4500-4800/kg wholesale in Kampala.
Given the scarcity for several food commodities on the market, district markets likewise registered beans at an increased price compared to August prices. Stockists are said to have made a considerable margin on their held limited inventories for the last 1-2 months. The beans prices increased drastically from Ugx.3700-3800/kg in August to Ugx.4500/kg in September indicating scarcity that has only been absorbed by supply from Tanzania and Kenya via Ethiopia along the respective trade routes.
Beans supply via Mutukula from Tanzania were delivered along Masaka-Kampala trade route and beyond Kampala’s trade zone while supply via Busia from Ethiopia through Kenya was delivered to Teso, Lango and Karamoja sub regions and drought hit locations far East such as Paliisa, Ikiiki and Budama. An estimated 100-200Mt daily of assorted beans varieties were reported during September via the Busia post informally creating a unique trade back flow of receiving beans from Kenya back to Uganda. Kampala main market and its peri urban also received this Ethiopian bean supply. “Surambaya” sugar beans also referred to Masavu beans were offered cheaper at Ugx.3600/kg, while Wailimu at Ugx.3800/kg and long Nambale beans at Ugx.4200/kg. Yellow beans were offered at the highest price of Ugx.4800/kg wholesale from Kenya-Busia.
Rising food crop prices due to weather related disruption.
Most of the staples available to the market were priced at a higher price compared to August price averages. Maize grain price increased in Kampala from Ugx. 1200/kg in August to Ugx.1430-1450/kg during September because of reduced productivity and crop output. High demand for maize from the processors was registered mainly for food consumption internally and informally for animal feeds demand from neighboring Kenya.
Very low trading or no trading was reported for maize at Busia produce border trade due to no demand for maize. Kenya usually sources for cheaper maize grain at the regional market and it had a cheaper source from Tanzania rendering supply from Uganda costly. Minimal maize trading was registered only for the border communities at Ugx.1450/kg estimated at Usd.363/ MT. This price offer renders very small margin to the trading community given the government purchase offer set by the National Cereal’s and Produce Board (NCPB) at farmgate purchase price at Ksh.4050/ 90 kg bag (Usd.310-335 per metric ton depending on the exchange rate.)
The depreciation of the Ugandan shilling over KES.31 has reduced the volume of would be purchase weight in terms of grain compared to the previous month of August when it was below KES.30. Usually at such a time, transit traders would shift from Maize to beans to try and realize a margin on volumes raised out of their cash held.
Apparently, the reverse has been taking place because the volume of beans crossing from Kenya to Uganda rose, which is unusual given the supply from Ethiopia via the north Kenyan trade route of Madera. Some bean supply was delivered inward to Kisumu and other western townships.
The price of dry cassava chips increased in some markets including Kampala from Ugx.1000/kg to Ugx.1250/kg while super rice was maintained high at Ugx.4000-4500/kg. Adulteration of super rice from Tanzania was observed as the reason the price was stabilized high. Prices are expected to increase further in the near future. Irish potatoes and Matooke prices increased due to reduced supply and a kilo of Irish potatoes cost Ugx.2500 while a medium sized bunch of matooke sold at Ugx.35,000.
Karamoja’s Food Security Situation.
As drought rages on affecting livelihood in Karamoja region, most food commodities were registered from outside the region. Maize grain and other food crops were supplied from Bugisu region, Bulambuli, Sironko, Namisindwa, Mbale, Kween, Kapchorwa (Sebei/Bukwo regions). The region, apparently, received some scattered showers inadequate to sustain major staples. Food items such as maize were offered high at Ugx.2000/kg in Nabilatuk- Lalachat market. Sorghum cost Ugx,1800/kg while green grams at Ugx,3000/kg. Beans were offered expensively at Ugx.3800-6,000/kg depending of variety and quality. Slightly lower commodity prices were reported in Moroto district where beans cost between Ugx.4000-4500/kg at wholesale while maize and sorghum at Ugx.1500/kg and Ugx.1800/kg respectively. Livestock prices were noted high with price offer for a big bull at Ugx.2.1 million per head.
Raising Fuel and Transport Prices
Rising fuel prices during the month of September were a major driving factor in the cost of production and increase in the commodity prices. As a net importer, Uganda faces a higher import bill and upward pressure in fuel prices given the ongoing disruptions in the Middle East especially the Strait of Hormuz inflated international oil, shipping, and supply chain cost. Petrol price increased from Ugx.6.550 per litre in August to Ugx.6,750 per litre in September while Diesel increased from Ugx.6595 per litre in August to Ugx.6850 per litre in September.
Fertilizer Price Fluctuations
Fluctuation in the Ugandan shilling against the dollar was a major influencing factor in the fluctuation of the fertilizer prices because international fertilizer shipments are prices in USD. Any volatility would affect the local currencies. DAP, however, was reported stable at Ugx.180,000 per 50kg bag while UREA was availed and thus reduction in the price to Ugx.150,000-160,000 per 50kg bag. NPK 17 17 17 increased slightly to Ugx.150,000 per 50 kg bag from Ugx.140,000/50 bag. Adverse El Nino- induced drought effects in different regions created a counter-dynamic of demand destruction for fertilizer. Poor seasonal rainfall performance eroded capital for many smallholder farmers, leaving them unable to afford inputs at these record-high rates, which slightly capped speculative retail price ceiling 3rd and 4th quarters.
| Fertilizer | September 2026 Price (per 50kg bag) | Trend |
| DAP | UGX 180,000 | Stable |
| Urea | UGX 150,000 | ▼ Decrease |
| NPK 17-17-17 | UGX 150,000 | ▲ Increase |
Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority Bill, 2026
The Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority Bill, 2026, was moved actively through Parliament‘s Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries during September. The bill aims to consolidate fragmented mandates currently held by the National Drug Authority (NDA) and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) into a single unified agency governing agricultural chemicals, animal feeds and veterinary.
Compiled by: Luwandagga David K