This publication is meant to be used as a field guide so that researchers, extensionists, and farmers growing sweetpotato throughout Eastern and Central Africa can identify common diseases and pests. Though not comprehensive it is based on authors experiences in those regions as well as surveys conducted in Kenya. In general, of all the constraints mentioned, sweetpotato weevils (Cylas spp.) and virus diseases contribute the most yield losses. Leaf-feeding insects, especially the sweetpotato butterfly, cause significant losses during outbreaks.  Also included are general comments about control measures. In most cases expect for sweetpotato weevils, little is known about control under tropical conditions. And though chemical controls may exist and be in use in developed countries, these methods are not recommended in this publication for use in Eastern and Central Africa.