The East African Community (EAC) has adopted a regional preparedness and response plan to address the anticipated El Niño phenomenon, following a five-day extraordinary meeting held from November 2 to 6, 2026.
The Extraordinary Joint Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence, Inter-State Security and Foreign Policy Coordination brought together regional representatives to discuss preparedness measures and coordinate responses to the expected weather phenomenon.
Uganda played a leading role in the discussions, with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, chairing the ministerial session.
The Ugandan delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) was led by the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama.
Other officials included Undersecretary Aacha Mary Orikiriza, who chaired the meeting of Permanent Secretaries, and Assistant Commissioner for Nutrition, Food and Animal Feed Security Investment, Julius Twinamasiko, who chaired the meeting of Experts and Senior Officials.
During the meeting, the Council reviewed the experts’ report and adopted the El Niño Preparedness and Response Report, which outlines recommendations to be implemented by EAC Partner States and the Secretariat over the next two months.
El Niño is associated with potential heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, crop and livestock losses, as well as disease outbreaks, posing risks to livelihoods and food security across the region.
MAAIF said it is working with the EAC, government agencies, local governments and development partners to strengthen Uganda’s preparedness, particularly among farmers, livestock keepers and fishing communities.
Farmers have been urged to follow weather advisories issued by the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) and seek guidance from their nearest agricultural extension officers.
