President Museveni unveils three-phase food stabilisation strategy for Karamoja

What the report says

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced a three-phase food stabilisation plan for Karamoja, a semi-arid region in northeastern Uganda that has repeatedly faced drought and emergency food aid. Watchdog Uganda reported that he outlined the strategy while officiating at the 11th Karamoja Cultural Event at Naitakwae Grounds in Moroto District, a week-long gathering running from September 6 to 12 under a theme focused on unity, peace, tourism and natural resources.

According to the article, the plan is intended to help households move away from dependence on relief distributions and toward more reliable food production. Museveni said the government would promote crop varieties and livestock better suited to Karamoja’s climate, with an early focus on fast-maturing crops such as sorghum, green gram and white peas. He also encouraged goat keeping, beekeeping and, in wetter areas, crops such as cassava and bananas.

The longer-term parts of the programme would centre on irrigation and larger water infrastructure, including dams, to reduce dependence on rainfall. The president also warned against wetland encroachment and said the Cabinet had opted for a more sustainable response to food insecurity than repeated emergency relief. The report says the government is currently distributing food aid worth about Shs45 billion to drought-hit areas.

The event also highlighted broader development and peace efforts in Karamoja, including the recovery of about 41,000 illegal guns under the disarmament programme. Leaders at the ceremony welcomed the food strategy and linked peace, culture and tourism to economic transformation in the region.