The Ministry of Karamoja affairs together with Namalu Prison Farm in Nakapiripit district intends to supply over 700 metric tons of maize to hunger-stricken areas of Karamoja
According to Marry Goretti Kitutu, the minister for Karamoja affairs, the districts of Abim, Karenga, Kotido, and Kaabong are to benefit from this initiative “Whenever we get such shocks like the current food shortage and the ministry in charge of disaster preparedness has been delayed, we come in to support with these supplies in our stores,” Said KitutuShe also says they not only support the communities but also schools in the region. With an annual budget of about 500 million. She says they have equipped the Uganda prisons with tractors thus commending them for being patriotic. “I must commend the Uganda prisons for being patriotic, with the little money we give them they can produce this,” she added Similarly, Agness Nandutu the junior minister has also applauded the Uganda Prisons further revealing that the distribution exercise will kick off next week. “By next week will shall be going to Karenga, Abim to give this maize to the most vulnerable.” Said Nandutu.The last Acute Food Insecurity IPC revealed that approximately 518,000 people are in urgent need of food assistance in Karamoja, with almost 428,000 individuals facing crisis levels of food insecurity (IPC3) and almost 90,000 in emergency levels (IPC4) in the period between March and July 2022.Reports released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification-IPC projected that more than 86,000 children aged 6 to 59 months and 10,000 pregnant or lactating women are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition across all the nine districts of Karamoja between February 2023 and January 2024.The last Acute Food Insecurity IPC revealed that approximately 518,000 people were in urgent need of food assistance in Karamoja, with almost 428,000 individuals facing crisis levels of food insecurity (IPC3) and almost 90,000 in emergency levels (IPC4) in the period between March and July 2022.