Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) was isolated from Centrosema pubescens, Crotalaria incana, Lablab purpureus, Phaseolus lunatus, Senna bicapsularis, S. sophera, Vigna vexillata and an unidentified Crotalaria species growing in Uganda. Thirteen distinct isolates were characterized using symptoms, pathogenicity in differential bean cultivars, serology, immunosorbent electron microscopy, and seed and aphid transmission. Some isolates conformed with the characteristics of previously described strains of BCMNV but others showed novel properties. All isolates reinfected the natural host from which they were obtained. The origin and ecological significance of these isolates is discussed.