UGANDA (23 September)
Harvesting of the 2003 main-season cereal crop is almost complete. Despite a late start to the season, most of the country is reported to have received normal to above-normal rainfall for the season. The continuation of the rains into July made up for the season’s late start in March.
Following a steady rise in maize prices since February 2003, which peaked in June at nearly 60 percent above the average for the previous three years, expectations of the arrival of the new crop prompted a drop in prices in July. However, prices in July were still more than 40 percent higher than the average of the previous three years.
Insecurity in northern and eastern Uganda continues to claim the lives of civilians on a daily basis. Since June 2003, the population in the four districts of Soroti, Katakwi, Kumi and Kaberamaido has borne the brunt of frequent brutal attacks, abductions, killings, looting and destruction of property. The displaced population in the Teso region currently exceeds 300 000 people, in addition to over 800 000 in Acholi region. WFP continues to assist IDPs, refugees and other vulnerable groups, but access to these people is possible only with armed military escort.