Unidentified cassava disease has broken out in Namutumba district destroying about 400 Acres of cassava plantations. The most affected areas are Balange, Ivokula, Muganda and Nsinzi sub-counties.

Elijah Gusizi told the press that the disease attacks cassava roots and causes them to rot in the ground.
Gusisi who is also a farmer from Nsizi Sub County says the disease has so far destroyed about three (3) acres of his cassava gardens. He says the disease was first noticed by farmers three weeks ago.

The Namutumba district Agriculture Officer, David Kisakye says the disease
looks like black roots and stem disease which is a Fungi disease.

In her analysis, Kisakye says the disease may reduce cassava harvest by 60% unless it
is stopped and prevented from spreading to the rest of the cassava gardens.

Kisakye has advised the farmers to stop transferring cassava stems from one garden to another so as one measure of controling the spread of the disease.

The Namutumba district LCV Chairman, Michael Saire has called upon government to come to the rescue of the farmers. He warns that unless the disease is stopped from spreading it may
worsen the food insecurity crisis already in the district.

Several families in Namutumba are surviving on only one meal a day after their crops were destroyed by the heavy rains early this year.

Recently there were reports from the same district that a number of children have allegedly died due to malnutrition.

BY Mugisa Isaac Mathias