Compassion International Uganda has launched a Shs6.7 billion food relief programme targeting more than 11,000 vulnerable households in Karamoja, where worsening hunger has forced some communities to survive on wild fruits amid growing concerns over child malnutrition.
The intervention, funded through contributions from Pentecostal churches, sponsors and donors around the world, seeks to provide emergency food assistance to families struggling with severe food shortages across the sub-region.
The distribution was launched in Nongereku Village, Nakapelimoro Town Board in Kotido District, with the organisation targeting 11,047 households under 34 projects spread across Karamoja.
Speaking during the launch, Compassion International Uganda’s Manager of Partnerships, Stella Situma, said the Shs6.7 billion had been mobilised within a short period through the generosity of the organisation’s international sponsors and donors.
“This effort has been possible through the extraordinary generosity of Compassion International sponsors and donors around the world. The Shs6.7 billion was mobilised in a short time. The food will be distributed in two batches to 11,047 households in 34 projects that are spread across the region,” Situma said.
To ensure the assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries, Compassion International is working through local churches that have previously partnered with the organisation to implement community development programmes in Karamoja.
Rev. Desmy Amadi of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church, who is coordinating the distribution, said each beneficiary household would receive 55 kilogrammes of maize flour and 14 kilogrammes of beans, alongside salt.
“Each member of this community has received 55 kilogrammes of posho and 14 kilogrammes of beans and salt. After two weeks, we shall provide the same intervention. This is a relief intervention, but in the long term, Karamoja needs water to support food production. Today, we have saved lives,” Amadi said.
Leaders warn of worsening hunger and child malnutrition
The food intervention comes amid growing concerns from local leaders over the deteriorating food security situation in Karamoja, where some households have reportedly resorted to eating wild fruits and other unconventional food sources to survive.
Kotido District Councillor Peter Lomilo said the food shortage had left many residents vulnerable to illness, with children bearing the greatest burden through cases of malnutrition.
“There is a lot of hunger, and people have resorted to eating wild fruits. Others are getting residuals from locally brewed alcohol to give children. As a result, many people are sickly, with children suffering from malnutrition. People are sick, but it is because they have no food,” Lomilo said.
Kotido District Woman Member of Parliament Nuria Hasfa Teko welcomed the intervention but urged the government and development partners to move beyond emergency food distribution and invest in sustainable agricultural production.
Teko said the region needed reliable water supplies, irrigation infrastructure and agricultural machinery to help communities produce enough food and reduce their vulnerability to recurring hunger.
“People are dying and starving because there is no food. So we need both emergency and long-term solutions. We need water for production to support food production such that people can grow adequate food. We also need agricultural machinery to support extensive agriculture, but overall, we thank Compassion for this timely support,” Teko said.
Her remarks highlight the longstanding challenges facing agricultural production in Karamoja, where unreliable rainfall and limited access to water have continued to undermine household food production.
Kotido District Chairperson Lotee Paul Komo also welcomed the intervention, saying the supplies would provide temporary relief to families facing food shortages.
“I must thank Compassion International for standing with the people of Kotido through providing this food relief. This food will be enough to support them for the next two months,” Komo said.
Beyond emergency food assistance
While the Shs6.7 billion intervention is expected to ease immediate food shortages among thousands of vulnerable families, local leaders say sustained investment in water infrastructure and agricultural support will be critical to preventing future food crises.
They argue that expanding irrigation, improving access to agricultural machinery and strengthening local food production could help communities withstand prolonged dry spells and reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance.
Compassion International Uganda is a Christian child-development organisation dedicated to releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Established in Uganda in 1980, the organisation works through local churches and currently partners with more than 480 Frontline Church Partners across the country.
Its programmes support vulnerable children and families through interventions in education, healthcare, child protection, discipleship and livelihood strengthening.
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