Outbreak of the Banana Wilt Disease in Uganda

Kasese district authorities have expressed concern about looming famine in the district due to the outbreak of the banana wilt Disease. The disease broke out in parts of Kibuga parish, Karusandara sub-county, Busongora County where over 20 acres of banana plantation have been affected. The district agriculture officer Teddy Munyanzikwiye confirmed the outbreak in an interview recently. "We have already formed the District Banana Wilt Bacterial Taskforce to handle the situation," Ms Munyanzikwiye said. She said the district has instituted a quarantine on the movement of bananas from the affected sub-county to other areas in the district as a way of combating the disease. Ms Munyanzikwiye also said the district taskforce will soon embark on sensitizing the masses on control measures. The beer bananas commonly known as kayinja have been the most hit by the outbreak. Over 20 other districts have been hit by the disease since 2005.