Poor land utilisation in Bunyoro blamed for food insecurity and land conflicts

HOIMA, August 12, 2026 — Leaders in the Bunyoro region have been urged to mobilise communities to utilise their land for increased food production and commercial farming instead of leaving large portions idle.

Hoima District Senior Production Officer Charles Kajura said current data show that only 48% of land in the Bunyoro region is being utilised, leaving 52 percent idle and largely covered by bush.

Kajura said the situation was contributing to poverty, food insecurity and land conflicts in the region, despite Bunyoro having vast tracts of arable land.

“Someone may have five acres of land but is only using two acres. Such a person needs to be sensitised to utilise the remaining land to produce food for their family and for commercial purposes,” he said.

He added that the situation was different in some other parts of the country, citing Bushenyi, where farmers have intensively utilised available land.

Kajura made the remarks while addressing officials from various organisations during a meeting to prepare for the upcoming Bunyoro Regional Agriculture, Environment and Trade Expo 2026.

He said poor land utilisation had contributed to food insecurity and land grabbing in the region.

Although 48% of the available land is being utilised, Kajura said agricultural production remains low because many farmers continue to practise subsistence farming.

He called for increased mobilisation of farmers to embrace commercial agriculture and adopt modern farming methods to improve both the quantity and quality of agricultural produce.

“Food prices here are too high because demand is high while production is low. For example, here in Hoima, we consume tomatoes from Kenya, Irish potatoes from Fort Portal and vegetables from Kampala, yet we have land and can produce them here,” he said.

Kajura said the regional expo had come at the right time, adding that it would serve as a wake-up call for people in Bunyoro to embrace agriculture as a business.

Hoima District Principal Assistant Secretary Evelyn Businge said farmers were facing several challenges that needed to be addressed by providing them with the right information and technologies.

She said agricultural production in Bunyoro remained low because many farmers had not been adequately exposed to modern agricultural technologies.

Businge said farmers could increase production and benefit more from agriculture if they were supported to adopt technologies such as the use of fertilisers, irrigation, proper post-harvest handling and climate-smart agriculture.

“We are talking about quality and quantity, so a farmer has to be given the right information to move from producing one tonne of maize to 10 tonnes using the same piece of land by employing new technologies,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mourin Akunda, head of programmes at the Agriculture Sector Network Uganda, said Bunyoro was endowed with significant agricultural potential, including a favourable climate, fertile soils and opportunities arising from oil and gas development.

She said much of this potential had not been fully utilised and called for increased efforts to sensitise communities.

“There is a need to create awareness among farmers to embrace new agricultural innovations and modern technologies, practise climate-smart agriculture, strengthen agricultural extension services and connect farmers to market opportunities,” Akunda said.

She said these interventions would help farmers change their mindsets and view agriculture as a viable business.

The officials made the remarks during a meeting with farmers at Hoima District headquarters in Kasingo.

https://thecooperator.news/butebo-locals-urged-to-use-land-efficiently-for-economic-prosperity/

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