Why is Uganda experiencing a food crisis?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Uganda is facing a worsening hunger crisis linked to what it describes as the country’s worst drought in decades, with the northeastern Karamoja region hardest hit. Citing the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, the outlet says at least 19 people have died of starvation in Karamoja and 1.5 million people are at risk of malnutrition. Crop failures and livestock pressures are affecting communities that depend heavily on farming and herding.

The report says Karamoja has received no rain since April, the start of the planting season. Experts interviewed by Al Jazeera pointed to several overlapping drivers, including prolonged dry conditions, environmental degradation, poverty, overgrazing, deforestation, insecurity involving cattle herders and raiders, and higher food prices. Kristof Titeca of the University of Antwerp also linked the crisis to long-term marginalisation of Karamoja, while noting that reduced foreign aid has worsened conditions.

Al Jazeera says Uganda’s government has allocated $18m in aid for Karamoja and began distributing maize flour and beans on July 22 after the starvation deaths were reported. Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Minister Sam Engola said officials had also met the World Food Programme and were looking beyond emergency relief toward irrigation, valley dams, grain silos and drought-resistant crops.

Policy analyst Job Kijji, quoted by Al Jazeera, argued that emergency food deliveries are not enough and called for investment in local production, water harvesting, storage, cold chains and stronger accountability over resources meant for Karamoja. The crisis matters beyond Uganda because recurring drought and food insecurity are also affecting parts of Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to Al Jazeera’s regional context.