Experts Warn of Looming Food Insecurity in Kotido as Prices Surge

By Richard Onapatum/Jennifer Acheng, Kotido District is facing a growing threat of food insecurity as staple food prices continue to rise sharply, raising alarm among local experts, traders, and community members.

A market survey conducted across key trading centers reveals that the cost of essential food commodities has more than doubled in recent weeks, placing immense strain on already vulnerable households in the semi-arid Karamoja sub-region.

Beans—one of the region’s primary protein sources—have seen some of the steepest increases. A sack of bufumba chai has risen from UGX 280,000 to UGX 340,000. Other common varieties such as K20 and K30 have surged even higher, from UGX 280,000 to UGX 380,000 per sack. Red beans now retail at UGX 240,000, up from UGX 200,000, while mixed beans have jumped from UGX 150,000 to UGX 230,000.

Maize grain, a staple for many households, has also recorded a sharp rise—from UGX 110,000 to UGX 140,000 per sack. At the retail level, prices have climbed from UGX 2,000 to between UGX 3,500 and UGX 4,000 per jug. Similarly, posho prices have increased from UGX 170,000 to UGX 230,000 per sack.

Other cereals have not been spared. Sorghum now sells at between UGX 3,000 and UGX 3,500 per jug, up from UGX 2,000, while millet prices have risen from UGX 2,500 to between UGX 4,000 and UGX 4,500.

Traders warn that the situation could worsen before it improves. Harriet Muduwa, a produce dealer at Kotido Main Market, projects that prices may continue rising until July or August, when the next harvest season begins. She attributes the current surge to reduced supply from major production areas, as farmers focus on planting during the ongoing rainy season.

“The prices are rising because most farmers are currently planting, so little food is coming to the market, and the heavy rains are also affecting supply,” she explained.

Transport challenges are compounding the crisis. Robert Okello, a trader at Kanawat Main Market, notes that deteriorating road conditions have led to increased transport costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.

“Transporters are charging more because the roads are in poor condition, and this has pushed prices even higher,” he said.

Despite the escalating food prices, agricultural input costs have remained relatively stable. Calisto Lolem, an agricultural officer at Agrimax Farm Supply in Kotido, reports that maize seed prices range between UGX 5,000 and UGX 15,000 per kilogram. Tomato seeds vary widely—from UGX 3,000 to UGX 135,000 depending on the variety—while onion seeds remain within an accessible range for most farmers.

However, experts caution that stable input prices alone may not be enough to offset the broader food security risks. Limited household incomes, climate variability, and market disruptions continue to undermine resilience in Kotido.

With several months remaining before the next harvest, stakeholders are calling for timely interventions to stabilize food access, improve road infrastructure, and support vulnerable households.

Without urgent action, the current price trends could deepen food insecurity and exacerbate existing poverty levels across the district.