BANANA BACTERIAL WILT (BBW)

Introduction
Banana Bacterial wilt (BBW) caused by xanthromonas campetris PV musacrearum is a new banana disease that Started in Mukono District in central Uganda (Mukono District) in September 2001. Until recently this little known disease was reported only in Ethiopia where affects young and occasionally mature cultivated bananas. In Uganda, BBW has been observed in nearly all cultivated banana varieties causing wilting of plants at all ages. When plants are affected at fruiting stage, bunches ripen pre-maturely with reddish brown discoloration in banana fingers. Male buds also wither off. The fruits in affected plants cannot be eaten by both man and animals. for example the disease in Uganda has caused damage to both kayinja (beer banana) and matooke. It currently affects 27 districts in Uganda, mainly to the north and east of Kampala, including Wakiso, Mukono and Kampala city. In each district the infection is localized, however the disease is rapidly filling the gaps. Its geographical spread it is rapid and it will reach the southern and western districts if not controlled.