Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) has joined the Uganda Episcopal Conference in calling for urgent assistance to communities in Karamoja facing a severe hunger crisis.

The University has set a target of raising Shs1 billion within one month to provide support to vulnerable communities affected by the crisis.

UMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa, said the hunger situation had already resulted in loss of lives and warned that more people could be affected unless urgent and collective action was taken.

Professor Kyamanywa said the University could not stand by and watch brothers and sisters, mothers and children suffer, and called on Ugandans and well-wishers around the world to join the relief campaign.

He was speaking to the press at the Uganda Martyrs University Lubaga Branch, where he launched the University’s response to the humanitarian situation in Karamoja.

Professor Kyamanywa said UMU was mobilizing its networks, leadership and partners to ensure that assistance reached communities most in need.

The University’s appeal committee includes John Bosco Lokolomoi, a Karamoja community elder and mathematician at UMU; Reverend Dr Peter Celestine Safari, Chairperson of the UMU Appeal Committee and Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences; and Dr. Frederick Katongole Kasirye, Director of University Advancement and Executive Operations.

UMU is appealing to individuals, corporate organisations, institutions, alumni and other well-wishers to contribute to the campaign.

In-kind donations can be delivered to designated collection centres at UMU branches across the country and at the Catholic Secretariat headquarters in Nsambya.

Those wishing to make monetary contributions can donate through the official UMU account at Centenary Bank, Entebbe Road Branch:

Account Name: Uganda Martyrs University
Account Number: 3100015199

UMU said the funds and other donations would be used to provide immediate assistance to mothers, children and other vulnerable people affected by the hunger crisis.

Beyond immediate relief, the University said the campaign would also mobilise its academic, research and community-engagement resources to contribute to longer-term solutions to the challenges facing Karamoja.

The University urged all people of goodwill to join the campaign, stressing that collective action was essential to saving lives and restoring hope among communities affected by the crisis.

By Alex Magala