The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF have pledged to support school feeding programmes in Karamoja as the government expands emergency food distribution to households across the sub-region.
The commitment comes as the government intensifies efforts to address food insecurity affecting thousands of families while at the same time urging communities to become self-reliant and reduce dependence on relief aid.
The minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola, made the announcement while leading a government delegation meeting leaders in Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk and Napak districts.
Engola said the current food distribution is an emergency intervention, but the government’s long-term goal is to help communities produce enough food for themselves.
“We want our people to become self-sustaining and stop depending on handouts. Relief food is meant to respond to emergencies, but we must empower communities to feed themselves,” Engola said.
He said the government also plans to establish grain silos in different parts of the country to improve emergency preparedness and ensure food is readily available during disasters.
According to Engola, relief food will be distributed to households across all nine districts of Karamoja to ease the current hunger situation.
The WFP country director in Uganda, Wanja Kaaria, welcomed the government’s intervention and said women and children are usually the hardest hit whenever disasters occur.
“When disasters strike, women and children are always the most vulnerable. We commend the Government of Uganda for responding quickly to the food crisis in Karamoja and WFP remains committed to supporting these efforts,” Kaaria said.
She said WFP would work with UNICEF to ensure children continue accessing meals in schools, helping to keep them in class even as families struggle with food shortages.
The minister for Karamoja Affairs, John Baptist Lokii, said the government has also strengthened social protection measures to cushion vulnerable households.
Lokii said monthly Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) payments for elderly beneficiaries in Karamoja have been increased from Shs25,000 to Shs75,000.
“The increase in SAGE payments is intended to help our elderly citizens cope with the current food situation as other interventions continue,” Lokii said.
State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Esther Anyakun urged parents to keep their children in school, saying learners will continue benefiting from meals provided through development partners.
“I appeal to all parents to send their children to school because there is food available there. Education must continue despite the current challenges,” Anyakun said.
Local leaders welcomed the government’s intervention, describing it as timely.
LCV chairpersons from Kotido, Nakapiripirit and Nabilatuk thanked the government for responding quickly to the food crisis and expressed optimism that the relief food would save many vulnerable households.
The emergency response follows the release of Shs 45 billion by the government to provide immediate food relief to affected communities. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja flagged off the relief food earlier this week.
The relief operation covers Kabong, Karenga, Nabilatuk, Moroto, Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Abim and Kotido districts.
