The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has flagged off an emergency food relief distribution exercise targeting more than 2,000 vulnerable people affected by prolonged hunger in Karamoja Sub-region.
The intervention, launched in Kotido on Tuesday, is being implemented through the North Karamoja Diocese as the Church intensifies efforts to respond to the region’s worsening food insecurity.
The relief 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 mobilised support from ACT Alliance, several Church of Uganda dioceses, institutions, Christians and other partners to provide emergency assistance to households facing food shortages.
The consignment includes 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 be given to malnourished children as part of efforts to address the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable beneficiaries.
Speaking during the flag-off, Archbishop Kaziimba said the prolonged hunger crisis had subjected families in Karamoja to severe hardship, with children facing an increased risk of malnutrition.
“As a Church of Uganda, we cannot remain indifferent. We are here today because we believe that Christian compassion must be translated into direct, decisive action,” he said.
Archbishop Kaziimba commended ACT Alliance and the Church of Uganda dioceses of Mukono, Kampala, Kigezi, West Buganda, Namirembe, Muhabura, Central Busoga and Soroti for contributing to the relief effort.
He also thanked other institutions, partners and Christians who supported the initiative.
ACT Alliance country coordinator Irene Anena reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with the Church and other partners to respond to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities.
She said coordinated humanitarian interventions were important in addressing immediate food needs while helping affected communities build resilience against future shocks.
Representatives of other ACT Forum members, including Rural Action Community Based Organisation, also attended the flag-off ceremony.
The event was attended by political and government leaders, including the area Member of Parliament, the Resident District Commissioner and the Kotido District LC5 chairperson.
Archbishop Kaziimba urged those responsible for the distribution to ensure that the relief reaches the intended beneficiaries fairly and transparently, without discrimination based on religion or tribe.
He also called for long-term interventions to address the root causes of food insecurity in Karamoja, including support for local farmers, promotion of climate-smart agriculture, development of reliable irrigation systems and improved preparedness for climate-related emergencies.
The Archbishop commended the government and development partners for their interventions in Karamoja and appealed for continued support to enable affected communities to rebuild their livelihoods.
Rev Agaba Andrew, the director of Household and Community Transformation, said the food relief distribution will continue in Karamoja Diocese on Wednesday.
