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Banana is the primary food crop in Uganda, but yields are low due to a complex of abiotic and biotic constraints. However, quantitative information on the importance, interactions, and geographic distribution of yields and constraints is scanty. We monitored yields, biotic and abiotic constraints in 159 plots in Central, South and Southwest Uganda in 2006–2007. About half the plots were on-farm demonstrations that received fertilizer (average 71N, 8P, 32Kkgha⁻¹year⁻¹) through a development project, the rest were ordinary farmer fields (i.e. controls). Fresh banana yields in controls were significantly (P≤0.05) higher in Southwest (20tha⁻¹year⁻¹) compared with Central (12tha⁻¹year⁻¹) and South (10tha⁻¹year⁻¹). Demonstrations yielded 3–10tha⁻¹year⁻¹ more than controls. Yield losses were calculated using the boundary line approach. In Central, yield losses, expressed as percentage of attainable yield, were …