The National Director of Caritas Uganda, Fr. Hillary Muhenzangango, has urged the Government to take decisive and urgent action to address the persistent famine and drought affecting communities in the Karamoja sub-region.

Fr. Muhenzangango called for the fast-tracking of measures to provide sufficient water for agricultural production, including harnessing water from nearby rivers, lakes and other water bodies to support local farmers and enable communities to grow enough food to sustain themselves.

He made the call this morning while handing over 10 metric tonnes of maize flour to Caritas Moroto in Moroto Diocese. The consignment was mobilised from all 19 Catholic dioceses in Uganda following an appeal by Caritas Uganda to support communities affected by hunger in Karamoja.

Fr. Muhenzangango said Uganda is blessed with vast tracts of arable land and has the potential to become a food basket for countries across Africa and beyond.

However, he said this potential remains largely untapped due to unfulfilled government pledges, inadequate financial support and limited human resources.

He stressed that greater investment in water infrastructure and agricultural support would enable communities in Karamoja to produce their own food and reduce their dependence on humanitarian assistance.

The latest consignment is the sixth food donation delivered since the launch of the humanitarian fundraising campaign.

So far, more than Shs150 million has been raised, alongside food donations made in kind, to support hunger-affected communities in Karamoja.

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