Smallholder farmers in Uganda face a wide range of agricultural production risks, with
climate change and variability presenting new risks and vulnerabilities. Climate related risks
such as prolonged dry seasons have become more frequent and intense with negative impacts
on agricultural livelihoods and food security. This paper assesses farmers’ perceptions of
climate change and variability and analyses historical trends in temperature and rainfall in two
rural districts of Uganda in order to determine the major climate-related risks affecting crop
and livestock production and to identify existing innovative strategies for coping with and
adapting to climate-related risks, with potential for up-scaling in rural districts. The traditional
coping strategies that have been developed by these communities overtime provide a
foundation for designing effective adaptation strategies.