Starvation in Karamoja has been going largely unnoticed but recently it has become a topical discussion after reports indicated that over 100 people were starving to death on a daily.
It’s on such grounds that the government has been put on the spot for failing to intervene.
Nakut Faith Loru Chuna, the Member of Parliament representing Napak and the Treasurer NRM Parliamentary Caucus raised concerns on the floor of parliament yesterday regarding the high levels of famine in the Karamoja region.
She disclosed that thousands of people are in dire need of food and will die if no action is not done.
The MP asked the Prime Minister’s office to find food from wherever and provide it to the people of Karamoja who are starving.
In response, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said that the Cabinet, during Monday’s sitting, resolved that the ministry of finance will allocate Shs135 billion to provide food to the people of Karamoja for the next three months.
“Over 200 Metric tonnes of food have been sent to Karamoja,” she said.
She added that on top of the food, the government will provide seeds and seedlings.
“We shall do everything within our powers to make sure that we don’t lose any lives anymore,” she said.
The Karamoja Sub-region has about 518,000 people and for many years they have been facing high levels of food insecurity.
Moroto Municipality MP, Hon Adome Francis Lorika appealed to the government to engage and listen to the MPs from the Karamoja Region to come up with sustainable solutions to the food insecurity affecting the region.