The study investigated the effect of farming practices on food security of small holder farmers: A case of Kiruhura District. Uganda. The key objective that guided the study was to assess the effect of moderate use of external inputs on food security of small holder farmers in Kiruhura District. A cross-sectional design using mixed methods approach was used to answer the study questions. The sample size for the study was 327 with 310 respondents participating in the study hence giving the average response rate of 91.4%. Stratified random sampling and purposive techniques were used to select the participants. Data analysis involved frequencies, means and inferential statistics such as correlations and the coefficient of determination. Findings revealed low adoption of small irrigation schemes and seed multiplication technology, along with limited access to quality seeds. The study concluded that moderate external input use affects food security. The study therefore recommends establishing model farms in each SubCounty in Kiruhura District, facilitated by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).