The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has this morning flagged off an emergency food relief distribution exercise in North Karamoja Diocese as the Church intensifies its response to the prolonged hunger crisis affecting communities in the Karamoja Sub-region.

The intervention follows a request 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, Church of Uganda mobilised support from ACT Alliance, Dioceses, institutions, Christians and other partners to provide emergency food assistance to vulnerable households.

The consignment flagged off includes 45,775 kgs of posho, 45,775 kgs of beans, 800kg of soya beans and 400kg of silver fish, with the soya beans and silver fish specifically intended to support malnourished children. The intervention is targeting more than 2,000 beneficiaries affected by food insecurity.

Speaking during the flag-off, Archbishop Kaziimba said the prolonged hunger crisis has caused severe hardship among families in Karamoja, with children particularly exposed to the risk of malnutrition.

“As a Church, we cannot remain indifferent. We are here today because we believe that Christian compassion must be translated into direct, decisive action,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

He commended ACT Alliance and the participating Church of Uganda Dioceses of Mukono, Kampala, Kigezi, West Buganda, Namirembe, Muhabura, Central Busoga and Soroti, as well as other institutions, partners and Christians who contributed towards the response.

Speaking on behalf of ACT Alliance, Country Coordinator Irene Anena reaffirmed the Alliance's commitment to working with the Church and other partners to respond to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities.

She underscored the importance of coordinated humanitarian action in addressing immediate food needs while strengthening the resilience of affected communities.

Representatives from other ACT Forum members, including the Rural Action Community Based Organisation (RACOBAO), also attended the flag-off.

The function was attended by several political and government leaders, including the area Member of Parliament, the Resident District Commissioner and the Kotido District LC5 Chairperson, among other leaders.

Archbishop Kaziimba tasked those involved in the distribution to ensure that the food reaches the intended beneficiaries fairly and transparently, with no discrimination along religious and tribal lines.

He further called for long-term interventions beyond emergency food relief, including support to local farmers, climate-smart agriculture, reliable irrigation systems and improved preparedness for future climate-related emergencies.

The Archbishop appreciated the Government of Uganda and development partners for their ongoing interventions in Karamoja and appealed for continued support towards helping affected communities rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen their resilience.

According to Rev Agaba Andrew the Director of Household and Community Transformation, the intervention will continue to Karamoja Diocese tomorrow.