Grasshoppers also known as Nsenene, a cherished delicacy in Uganda, usually swarm in November, drawing many to harvest them and sale.
This year however unlike other years has seen significantly lower numbers of grasshoppers being harvested. This has caused immense disappointment and financial loss among those who heavily invested in anticipation of the usual abundance in November.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi attributed this change to climate change. He highlighted that the heavy rains could have potentially disrupted the grasshoppers' breeding cycle resulting in the altered expected volumes of grasshoppers, impacting both harvesters and businesses reliant on their sale.
Emphasizing the pervasive effects of climate change, the Minister offered condolences to affected businesses and urged proactive measures.
He stressed the need of investing in ICT and Technology to enable early identification of such shifts, allowing for informed decisions and adaptive strategies in the face of environmental changes.
