Karamoja Leaders Call for Long-Term Solutions as Government Expands Food Relief.
By Skika Reporter.
Leaders in the Karamoja sub-region have welcomed the government’s emergency food relief but are calling for long-term investments to end the region’s recurring hunger crises.
The appeal came as the government distributed tonnes of maize flour and beans to vulnerable households in Moroto and Napak districts on Monday under its ongoing emergency response to food insecurity.
Speaking during the distribution exercise in Napak, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, assured residents that the government has enough food to support all affected households despite minor discrepancies in beneficiary data.
“Nobody should die of hunger in Karamoja because the government is here to support its people. The President has ordered that all households receive food immediately to save lives,” Engola said.
The Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Dr. John Baptist Lokii, echoed the assurance, saying sufficient food had been allocated to every parish in the region.
“We appreciate President Yoweri Museveni for his humility and generosity as the Fountain of Honour. The people of Karamoja are blessed,” Lokii said.
Lokii also announced that the government has increased the monthly Senior Citizens Grant (SAGE) for elderly beneficiaries in Karamoja from Shs25,000 to Shs75,000 to help cushion vulnerable households against the current food crisis.
Despite welcoming the emergency intervention, local leaders urged the government to adopt sustainable measures to prevent repeated food shortages.
Napak District LC V Chairperson John Paul Kodet said investment in water harvesting and irrigation infrastructure would significantly improve food production across the region.
“We need the government to establish dams in all parishes so we can irrigate our crops when the rains are delayed,” Kodet said.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, leaders from both Moroto and Napak districts commended the government’s swift response while emphasizing the need for long-term planning to address the root causes of hunger.
Development partners have also pledged support to complement government efforts.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF announced plans to provide food to schools across Karamoja to help keep children in class during the prolonged drought.
WFP Representative and Country Director for Uganda Wanja Kaaria praised the government’s timely intervention and said the agency would focus on supporting school feeding programmes.
“We are here to lend a hand by providing food to schools so that children can remain enrolled despite the challenges posed by prolonged drought,” Kaaria said.
State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Esther Anyakun encouraged parents to continue sending their children to school, where meals will be provided through support from development partners.
The event was also attended by Maj. Gen. Wilberforce Sserunkuma, Commander of the UPDF 3rd Infantry Division based in Moroto, who assured residents of continued security in the region.
The government recently released Shs45 billion to finance emergency food relief across Karamoja. The programme, launched by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, is benefiting households in Kabong, Karenga, Nabilatuk, Moroto, Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Abim, Kotido, and other affected districts.
