KOTIDO, UGANDA — 18 August 2026 — The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has flagged off an emergency food relief distribution exercise in North Karamoja Diocese as the Church intensifies its response to the prolonged hunger crisis affecting communities in the Karamoja Sub-region.
The intervention follows an appeal by the Bishop of North Karamoja Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Simon Akol Aisu, to the Church of Uganda Board of Trustees during its meeting at Nabugabo Holiday Centre in Masaka in July.
North Karamoja Diocese covers Kotido, Kaabong, Abim and Karenga districts.
Following the appeal, the Church of Uganda mobilised support from ACT Alliance, dioceses, institutions, Christians and other partners to provide emergency food assistance to vulnerable households.
The consignment flagged off comprises 45,775 kilogrammes of posho, 45,775 kilogrammes of beans, 800 kilogrammes of soya beans and 400 kilogrammes of silver fish. The soya beans and silver fish will specifically support malnourished children.
The intervention is expected to benefit more than 2,000 people affected by food insecurity.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Archbishop Kaziimba said the prolonged hunger crisis had caused severe hardship among families in Karamoja, with children particularly vulnerable to malnutrition.
“As a Church, we cannot remain indifferent. We are here today because we believe that Christian compassion must be translated into direct, decisive action,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He commended ACT Alliance and the participating Church of Uganda dioceses of Mukono, Kampala, Kigezi, West Buganda, Namirembe, Muhabura, Central Busoga and Soroti, as well as other institutions, partners and Christians who contributed to the relief effort.
Speaking on behalf of ACT Alliance, Country Coordinator Irene Anena reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to working with the Church and other partners to respond to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities.
She emphasised the importance of coordinated humanitarian action to address immediate food needs while also strengthening the resilience of affected communities.
Representatives of other ACT Forum members, including the Rural Action Community Based Organisation (RACOBAO), also attended the flag-off ceremony.
The event was attended by several political and government leaders, including the area Member of Parliament, the Resident District Commissioner and the Kotido District LC5 Chairperson, among other leaders.
Archbishop Kaziimba tasked those involved in the distribution exercise with ensuring that the relief food reaches the intended beneficiaries fairly and transparently, without discrimination based on religion or tribe.
He also called for long-term interventions to complement emergency food relief, including support for local farmers, promotion of climate-smart agriculture, development of reliable irrigation systems and improved preparedness for future climate-related emergencies.
The Archbishop appreciated the Government of Uganda and development partners for their ongoing interventions in Karamoja and appealed for continued support to help affected communities rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen their resilience.
According to Rev. Agaba Andrew, Director of Household and Community Transformation, the relief intervention will extend to Karamoja Diocese on Wednesday.
The post Church of Uganda launches emergency food relief for hunger-hit Karamoja communities appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.