Preliminary studies earlier conducted in Uganda indicate that rice production techniques are poorly understood by most farmers but per capita consumption is increasing. Attributes such as having higher yield per unit area than any other cereal, being highly tradable, fetching a high price, and being easy to prepare using little energy are some reasons for this increase. To avert import substitution, which was increasing along with the consumption, the work reported was conducted to comprehensively understand production characteristics and to identify and rank constraints of rice production in Uganda. A second objective was to identify upland rice varieties, develop their pertinent production packages, and make them available to farmers using appropriate channels. Major production characteristics including production systems, market outlets and planting time were described and major production constraints identified. The study revealed that few varieties were available. Through screening and testing introductions, three upland rice varieties were selected and later released in 2002. Dissemination pathways of these technologies were proposed and their implementation initiated. This involved farmers, seed companies, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, processors and consumers. Direct government intervention in promotion of rice as a tool for poverty eradication gave good leverage too. One released variety was NARIC 3 a Nerica type (New Rice for Africa) that proved most popular. It is likely that as production levels increase farmers will be able to make choices among a selection of available varieties.