Archbishop Kaziimba Flags Off Food Relief for 2,000 in Karamoja

What the report says

The Church of Uganda has launched an emergency food relief effort for vulnerable households in North Karamoja Diocese, where communities are facing prolonged hunger and children are reported to be at risk of malnutrition. According to Nile Post, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, flagged off the distribution for more than 2,000 people affected by food insecurity.

The relief shipment totals nearly 93 tonnes, made up of 45,775 kg of posho, 45,775 kg of beans, 800 kg of soya beans and 400 kg of silver fish. The soya beans and silver fish are intended specifically to support children suffering from malnutrition. North Karamoja Diocese covers Kotido, Kaabong, Abim and Karenga districts, an area that has experienced repeated food insecurity.

The intervention followed an appeal from the Bishop of North Karamoja Diocese, the Rt Rev Simon Akol Aisu, to the Church of Uganda Board of Trustees in July. The Church then mobilised support from ACT Alliance, several dioceses, institutions, Christians and other partners to assemble the aid. Representatives from local government, the area MP and development partners attended the launch.

Kaziimba said the response should be handled fairly and without discrimination, and he also urged longer-term solutions such as support for farmers, climate-smart agriculture, irrigation and better preparedness for climate-related shocks. The effort reflects wider humanitarian concerns in Karamoja, where emergency food aid has often been linked to drought, poverty and recurring livelihood strain.