Government alerted to drought-related problems

Prolonged drought in the west of the country has destroyed large stretches of crops, seriously limited pasture and exposed residents to problems of food security, according to politicians from the region speaking in the Ugandan parliament. Dairy production and food harvests were significantly down, as was coffee production - a significant cash crop for farmers and source of foreign exchange for Uganda - Ugandan radio reported on Wednesday. Several members of parliament for the western region have called on the government to take measures to ensure food security and the safety of drinking water for people in the region, it added. Rebels kill six in west Rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on Tuesday attacked a village in western Uganda and killed a family of six, the semi official 'New Vision' reported on Wednesday. The rebels, who were reportedly looking for food, entered the family's home in Mugusu village, Kabarole district, and killed a man, his wife, mother-in-law, two children and another relative, the paper said.