KAMPALA – The government has finalized modalities for the delivery of emergency food relief to communities facing acute food shortages in the Karamoja sub-region following a Cabinet directive to urgently intervene in the worsening humanitarian situation.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Tuesday evening chaired a high-level meeting bringing together ministers responsible for disaster preparedness and Karamoja affairs, alongside senior government technocrats, to coordinate the implementation of the emergency food relief programme.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Sam Engola representative and Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Lillian Aber, Minister for Karamoja Affairs John Baptist Lokii, as well as technical teams led by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Alex Kakooza.
According to the Prime Minister’s office, the meeting agreed on the modalities that will guide the procurement, distribution and delivery of food supplies to vulnerable households across Karamoja.
The intervention follows a Cabinet decision reached on Monday directing the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to release funds for the procurement of emergency food relief to support communities grappling with food insecurity in the sub-region.
Government officials say the emergency intervention is intended to avert a humanitarian crisis in Karamoja, where prolonged dry spells, poor harvests and persistent vulnerability have left thousands of households struggling to access adequate food supplies.
Speaking during the meeting, Prime Minister Nabbanja reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that no Ugandan is left to suffer from hunger, noting that the food relief exercise will be implemented expeditiously once procurement processes are concluded.
“The government has agreed on urgent measures to ensure that emergency food reaches the affected communities in Karamoja. We are coordinating across ministries and technical teams to guarantee timely and transparent delivery,” she said.
The Office of the Prime Minister, which is mandated to coordinate disaster preparedness and refugee affairs, will oversee the implementation of the programme in collaboration with the relevant ministries and local government authorities in Karamoja.
Minister John Baptist Lokii emphasized the importance of swift action, saying the intervention comes at a critical time when many families in the region are experiencing food shortages.
Officials indicated that the relief programme will target the most affected communities, with technical teams expected to undertake the necessary assessments and logistical arrangements to ensure food reaches intended beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Finance’s decision to provide funds underscores government’s commitment to responding to humanitarian emergencies through coordinated institutional mechanisms.
Karamoja has historically been one of Uganda’s most food-insecure regions, frequently affected by erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts and socio-economic challenges that undermine agricultural productivity. Over the years, government and development partners have implemented several interventions aimed at improving food security and livelihoods in the sub-region.
The latest emergency response is expected to complement ongoing long-term efforts geared towards building resilience among communities in Karamoja through investments in agriculture, water access, livelihood programmes and social protection initiatives.
Government officials have assured the public that the food distribution exercise will be conducted transparently and efficiently to ensure that vulnerable households receive timely assistance as the country works to address the immediate food crisis in the sub-region.
The emergency food relief operation is expected to commence once procurement processes are completed and logistical arrangements are finalized by the responsible ministries and technical teams.
